The Roman Theatre of Arles (Théâtre Romain d’Arles)

The Roman Theatre of Arles was constructed in the age of the emperor Augustus, at the end of the first century BC. It measures 102m in diameter, with 33 semi-circular rings of stone seats, most of which are lost today. Its exterior had three layers of arcades. The only remaining part of the stage wall are two tall marble columns. The stage background was originally highly decorated, with one of the statues found there currently on display at the museum of Arles. The theatre could contain up to 10,000 spectators. In the Middle Ages, the theatre was largely destroyed and its stone used to construct new buildings in the town.