One of the largest of its kind and among the best preserved Roman amphitheaters, Verona's arena was built in the reign of Diocletian, about AD 290.
Only four arches of the outer wall on the north side have survived, but the vaulting seating is intact and in regular use. Its 44 rows of seating can accommodate 22,000 spectators, and in July and August, it is the home of the Verona Opera Festival, one of Europe's major summer music events ranked with the Bayreuth and Salzburg festivals.
The arena forms one side of the wide Piazza Brà, opposite the Palazzo Malfatti, created by Sammichele. Adjoining the long building of the Gran Guardi,the old guard-house from1614, is the gate and tower of Portoni della Brà.
