Amphitheatre (Chester)
The Roman Amphitheatre in Chester is one of the most outstanding survivals from the Roman period in Britain.
It is situated just outside the City Walls from Newgate, and close to the ancient St. Johns Church.
It was built about 100AD, and covers the site of an earlier wooden structure.
The Amphitheatre was discovered in 1928, and excavations started in the 1960s.
It is the largest stone Amphitheatre discovered in Britain, and it is unlikely that there would have been a larger one. The area covered is 314 feet by 286 feet. There was seating room for 9000.
As well as the celebrated gladiatorial contests, it was used for military training and civic ceremonies.