There are two Roman amphitheatres in Budapest, the civilian and the military. While the civilian amphitheatre is in the north, the military amphitheatre is in the south: on the western side of Pacsirtamezö utca, less than 1 km south of Florian ter and the great Roman bath complex known as Thermae Majores.
The outside dimensions are 131 x 107 m and the auditorium (in Latin: cavea) could hold 10-14,000 spectators. It is larger than the civilian amphitheatre, which could hold only 3-4,000 spectators, but still smaller than the well-preserved amphitheatres in Arles and Nîmes, both of which could hold some 20,000 spectators.
Steve Fallon, author of Lonely Planet's guidebook to Budapest, claims that the military amphitheatre "could accommodate up to 15,000 spectators and was larger than the Colosseum in Rome" (fifth edition, 2012, page 75). While the former claim is slightly exaggerated, the latter claim is simply absurd: the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire, could seat up to 50,000 spectators.
Some of the ancient walls of the amphitheatre are still preserved.
The foundation of the auditorium.
A look at the arena.
Today the ancient amphitheatre is surrounded by modern apartment blocks.
This picture (taken from the arena) shows a section of the auditorium.
A look at the arena.
The foundation of the auditorium.
This picture gives a near total view of the arena.
The foundation of the auditorium.
This picture gives a near total view of the arena.
Today the ancient amphitheatre is surrounded by modern apartment blocks.
This section of the exterior wall is well preserved.
One of the two main gates leading into the arena
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For more information about the Roman amphitheatre please turn to
Katherine Welch, The Roman Amphitheatre (2007, 2009) and
Keith Hopkins & Mary Beard, The Colosseum (2011).
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