Roman amphitheater's original use

The Nîmes amphitheater, a Roman structure measuring 133 meters in length by 101 meters in width, with a 21-meter-high façade and two levels of 60 arches each, originally served as a venue for gladiator fights and animal hunts.

Repurposing after the ban

Following the banning of such events, the Visigoths repurposed the amphitheater into a fortress, filling arches, digging ditches, and adding towers. During late antiquity and the Middle Ages, the population used the site as a refuge during periods of insecurity.

Medieval occupation and structures

The site, known as the castrum arenae, or "Castle of the Arena," since the 9th century, housed two churches, 220 houses, and a castle. The figure of 220 refers to the medieval castrum as reported by Wikipedia and the Museum of Heritage, not the neighborhood that existed at the time of the 1786 decree.

Restoration efforts begin

The royal council decree of March 28, 1786, ordered the restoration of the amphitheater and the destruction of the houses located inside and against the building. This was part of larger beautification efforts in Nîmes, including the gardens of the Fontaine, begun in 1740-1750.

Project delays and resumption

The project advanced alongside the demolition of medieval ramparts to create boulevards and promenades. The city purchased the houses for demolition, but the project was halted by the Revolution. An imperial decree signed on February 2, 1809, restarted the project. A plan from the same year distinguishes by color the houses already demolished, those planned for demolition, and those to be demolished later.

Abandonment and medieval settlement

The Castle of the Arena was abandoned around 1390, and the population's occupation began shortly after. By the 12th century, the knights of the Arena had emerged, and a historical chronology of the monument was placed near 100 inside in 1226.

Occupation and its effects

The area was inhabited until the 19th century, though some authors suggest the density of the neighborhood may have led to unsanitary conditions. The extent of the damage to the amphitheater includes steps dismantled for construction, arches occupied, and the track transformed into an inner courtyard.

Demolition and revival

The demolition of the neighborhood, which spanned several centuries, was completed around 1812 or 1813, according to different sources. Once cleared, the amphitheater regained its original function as a place of performance.

Modern use and preservation

The first Camargue race is dated to 1839, and the first bullfight to 1853. The monument was classified as a Historic Monument in 1840 and converted into an arena in 1863. Today, it hosts visits, bullfights, and concerts, including those of the Nîmes Festival in the summer. The same steps dismantled by the inhabitants are now used by thousands of spectators, in a building that specialists classify among the best-preserved ancient amphitheaters in the world.