Cagliari's Roman amphitheatre lies in a natural hollow of the limestone hill below the Castello district, right next to the city's botanical garden. Unlike most Roman arenas it was not simply built up from blocks: much of its seating and its underground rooms were cut straight into the rock. It is one of the most important Roman monuments in Sardinia.
The Roman Amphitheatre at a glance
- Where: Viale Sant'Ignazio, on the slope below the Castello district, beside the University of Cagliari's botanical garden.
- Built: 2nd century AD; some scholars place the start of work in the late 1st century.
- What it is today: an archaeological site owned by the city. The interior has been largely closed for years; in 2026 new walkways and a restoration were under way and the site could mostly be seen from above, so check before you go.
- Time needed: 20–30 minutes from the viewpoints, up to an hour if visits inside have resumed.
From gladiator games to stone quarry
The amphitheatre was built when Karales, as the Romans called Cagliari, was the main city of the province of Sardinia. The builders used a natural valley in the hill: the tiers were carved into its sides, and only the southern part, where the ground fell away, was built up with blocks of local limestone. The whole building measured about 93 by 79 metres, with an arena of roughly 46 by 31 metres, and estimates of its capacity range from about 8,000 to 10,000 spectators. It hosted gladiator fights, fights with wild animals and public executions. Seats were divided by social rank, and the podium closest to the arena was kept for the most important citizens.
From the 5th century the amphitheatre fell out of use and turned into a convenient quarry. For centuries builders carried away its cut stone and dug new blocks out of the rock, which is why the southern façade has disappeared. The site became city property in the mid-19th century, and Canon Giovanni Spano led the first excavations in 1866–1868. The archaeologist Doro Levi excavated and consolidated it again in 1937–38. In later decades it was used as a stage for summer shows, but it has been largely closed for more than a decade. In 2024 the city began cleaning the site and planning new paths, a first step towards a fuller restoration.
What to look for
- The tiers carved into the rock: on the north side the steps of the cavea are cut directly into the hillside. In Roman times they were covered with marble slabs.
- The arena and the pit beneath it: the arena floor was probably made of removable planks, with machinery below to lift scenery and animals.
- The animal cages: four small alcoves in the arena wall have drinking troughs cut into their floors and were probably used to hold wild beasts.
- Rooms in the rock: chambers cut under the seats are thought to include a prison cell, with carved handles in the walls that may have held chains, and a small shrine with niches.
- Quarry marks: straight, clean cuts in the rock show where later builders sliced out blocks for their own houses and churches.
A tunnel, a cistern and a Christian graffito
A corridor about 96 metres long carried rainwater from the amphitheatre slope to a large cistern in the nearby Orto dei Cappuccini, the old Capuchin garden. The cistern seems to have served as a prison as well: around thirty handles for shackles survive, and a graffito shows a cargo ship with the Christian chi-rho sign on its mast. Some scholars think condemned prisoners, Christians among them, were led to the arena this way, but that remains a theory.
Tips for your visit
- Check the current access before you go: during the works, opening arrangements change, and parts of the site may only be visible from the path above.
- Come in the morning or late afternoon. The rocky hollow has very little shade and gets hot in summer.
- Wear shoes with some grip: the paths and rock surfaces are uneven.
- Combine the visit with the botanical garden next door, then walk uphill into the Castello district.
Nearby
- Botanical Garden (Orto Botanico): the University of Cagliari's garden right beside the amphitheatre, a shady place full of Mediterranean and exotic plants.
- Villa di Tigellio: the remains of Roman town houses in the lower town, traditionally linked to the Sardinian poet Tigellius.
- Torre di San Pancrazio: the white limestone tower built by the Pisans in 1305 at the top of the Castello district.
- Bastione di Saint Remy: the grand terrace and staircase built around 1900 on the old city walls, with views over the rooftops and the port.
See Cagliari with World City Trail
Our Cagliari scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around 3 hours, with about 45 minutes of walking. It includes the Bastione di Saint Remy and Cagliari Cathedral.
If you prefer a different format, there is also a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game in Cagliari.
Play the Cagliari scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Cagliari →
Play the outdoor escape game in Cagliari →
Facts checked in October 2026.