Roman Amphitheatre

The only Roman amphitheatre in Portugal is a ruin, buried under generations of dwellings who used the stones of the amphitheatre to build the houses that once covered it. Lisbon’s amphitheatre has been partially excavated but it does require a stretch of the imagination to envisage the 5000 spectators cheering on a gladiator fighting for his life against a wild North African animal.

The roman amphitheatre was constructed overlooking the mouth of the Rio Tejo (River Tagus) close to the summit where the Castelo de Sao Jorge now stands. By carefully archaeological investigations it has been determined that the amphitheatre had a split level, with the stands encircling 3 quarters looking out to Rio Tejo to the south.

Lisbon’s Roman Amphitheatre is small when compared to the Coliseum of Rome which could hold up to 50,000 spectators, but the 5,000 capacity of Lisbon’s amphitheatre did indicate the importance of Lisbon in the Roman era. Lisbon was an important trading and port and was referred to Olissipo.

The performances and shows at Lisbon's Roman Amphitheatre would include re-enactments of famous battles, executions for dissidents or traitors or most spectacularly gladiators fighting for their lives against one another.

The original amphitheatre was constructed by Emperor Augustus in 10BC, as the importance of Lisbon grew in the Roman Empire the amphitheatre was expanded in 57 AD to a standing capacity of 5000. The expansion was performed as a tribute to Emperor Nero, by order of Caius Heius Primus the high priest of the emperor’s cult.

The first steps of the Amphitheatre were for the knights, being followed by the soldiers and civil servants. The middle part of the area was occupied by settlers and citizens of Lisbon. On the steps at the upper levels sat successively freed the slaves who had to stand and, finally, in the covered porch, women.

As the Roman Empire waned the amphitheatre was disused approximatly the fourth century and later the large stones were used for building materials as Lisbon rapidly grew. The entire complex was completely covered by fallen rubble during the 1755 earthquake. The ruins were discovered in 1964 and a permanent excavation was started in 1980.

The present day site is no more than a large excavation site with many of the main columns and sculptures uncovered in the Museu do Teatro Romano, so that is visible are a few large stone walls and part of the main arena floor. The excavation is covered by a semi permanent roof to shield the site from the intensity of the sun but there are no intricate tiles or patterns. Lisbon's Roman Amphitheatre is free to visit and is located close to the Se Cathedral and the main tram route through Alfama.

The Museu do Teatro Romano which ppened in 2001, displays items discovered at the excavation site and include an inscription dedicating the theatre to Emperor Nero and a statue of Silenus. The Museu do Teatro Romano is opposite the main Roman Amphitheatre and is housed in a seventeenth century building. Opening times are 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00 Tuesday to Sunday and Admission is free.