The Roman Amphitheater of Larino is an unmissable monument for anyone visiting Molise. Built between the late 1st and early 2nd century AD at the behest of Senator Capitone, it could hold up to 11,000 spectators. Entry is free and the archaeological area is open all year round.
– Elliptical plan with a major axis of 97.80 m and an arena of 59.40 × 41.60 m.
– Four gates: north for victorious gladiators, south for the fallen, west and east for spectators.
– Central pit 5 m deep with a lift to raise cages of wild animals.
– Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM; in summer also Sunday 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Visit the Roman Amphitheater of Larino, the city’s symbol, dating back to the 1st century AD. Free entry, opening hours, and curiosities about gladiators and wild beasts.
- Via Dante Alighieri, Campobasso (CB)
- +39 0874 822787
- Open in Google Maps
- View on Google Images Anfiteatro Romano a Campobasso
Good to know
Evocative Introduction
If you close your eyes for a second, here you can still hear the roar of the crowd. The Roman Amphitheater of Larino is one of the best-preserved monuments in Molise, yet it has something intimate: it’s not a museum, it’s a living place. You walk on the arena where gladiators dueled, and the silence almost lets you imagine the roars. The elliptical shape, the worn stones, the sky above: everything speaks of a past that has never left here. It’s one of those places that get inside you, without needing explanations.
Historical Notes
Built in the last two decades of the 1st century AD by the testamentary will of Senator L. Capitone, the amphitheater was inaugurated under Emperor Titus. It hosted gladiatorial combats and venationes (wild beast hunts). After the 3rd century, it fell into disuse, was stripped, and became a quarry for materials and a medieval necropolis. Modern excavations (1962, 1978, 1980) brought the structure back to light. Here are the key moments:
- 1st century AD – Construction by will of L. Capitone
- 1st century AD – Inauguration under Titus
- 3rd century AD – Abandonment
- Middle Ages – Reuse as necropolis, quarry, and fortification
- 1962-1990 – Excavations and restorations
Architecture and Engineering
The amphitheater has an elliptical plan: major axis 97.80 m, minor axis 80 m; arena 59.40 × 41.60 m. It is partly carved into tufa and partly built in opus caementicium and reticulatum. The arena has a convex floor for drainage, with a 32 cm wide channel (euripus). Near the center, a rectangular pit (7.50 × 5.50 m, 5 m deep) was used to lift animal cages via a hoist. The seating tiers are gone, but their divisions are recognizable: ima, media, and summa cavea, with separate entrances for social classes.
Life in the Arena
Four gates marked the destiny: North Gate (of the victors), South Gate (of the defeated), the side ones for the audience. On the podium, 2 m high and covered with limestone slabs, there were holes for protective nets. Four spoliaria (rooms for treating wounded gladiators) opened next to the main gates. The front-row seats were for the knights (6 steps), then the people (10 steps), and at the top, probably in wood, the plebeians. Access was strictly hierarchical: the nobles from the arena, the others from the ambulatory with 12 vomitoria.
Why Visit It
Three good reasons: free entry (always!), the chance to see up close the beast pit and the stage mechanisms, and the fact that it is one of the few Roman amphitheaters in Molise, authentic and not crowded. Additionally, the site is part of the Archaeological Park of Villa Zappone, which also includes thermal baths with figurative mosaics. A visit here is a dive into history without queues or tickets.
When to Go
The best time? Late afternoon, when the low sun lights up the stones and the arena’s shadow creates a magical atmosphere. In spring or autumn, the weather is perfect for a leisurely stroll. In summer, avoid the midday hours (there’s no shade), but if you come on a Sunday in July or August, the extended opening hours until 6 PM allow for an evening visit. Always check the updated times as they vary by season.
Nearby
A few steps away, in the archaeological park, you’ll find the remains of 2nd-century AD Roman baths with mosaics depicting dolphins and sea monsters. Not far off, Villa Zappone houses artifacts and educational workshops (mosaic, coins, Roman history). If you have time, head up to Larino’s historic center: the Duomo and the Ducal Palace are worth a stroll. Another idea? The nearby Piana San Leonardo area, just outside the walls, completes the picture of ancient Larinum.
Itineraries nearby
💡 Did You Know…?
During excavations, a 5th-6th century brick kiln and an 8th century lime kiln were discovered in the ambulatory, indicating that the amphitheater was reused as a quarry and craft area. More fascinating is the rectangular pit at the center of the arena: a counterweight system allowed beasts or gladiators to suddenly emerge, creating a breathtaking scenic effect.