Aerial photo of the largest amphitheater in the world, after the Colosseum.

Amphitheater Campano Santa Maria Capua Vetere

The town of Santa Maria Capua Vetere is a medieval descendant of Ancient Capua, one of the largest and most important cities of the ancient world—famous for its many monuments of Roman times, including the Amphitheater Campano, second only in size to the Colosseum of Rome.

Amphitheater sunset view. – © Ortensio Fabozzi

Amphitheater dawn view. – © Ortensio Fabozzi

Internal view of the Museum of Ancient Capua, Roman statue of the Satyr at rest. – © Ortensio Fabozzi

Painted tauroctonia in the mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, 2nd century AD. – © Dom De Felice / Wikimedia Foundation

Amphitheater sunset view. – © Ortensio Fabozzi

Ancient Capua was founded by the Etruscans in the fifth century BC, and was on the Via Appia, making it the most important city in the area. It was home to, among other things, the famous gladiatorial school that became the scene of the famous Spartacus revolt.

Aerial photo of the amphitheater and antiquarium. – © Emma Taricco

The Campania Museum Complex includes the amphitheater, a museum, and the underground mithraeum, one of the most beautiful and important sanctuaries dedicated to the god Mithras found anywhere in the world.

Mithraic worship in Ancient Capua may have been led by the Eastern gladiators who fought in the ampitheater. The construction of the mithraeum is thought to date back to the 2nd century AD. – © Ortensio Fabozzi

Visit

Amphitheater Campano Santa Maria Capua Vetere

Hours

Old Capua Archaeological Circuit:
Entry time: 9:00 – 16:00. Closed on Mondays

Pricing

€ 2.50 (You can visit also Archaeological Museum of Ancient Capua, Amphitheater Campano, Museum of Gladiators and Mitreo)