Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
from the First Crusade to the Holy Land. On the second floor, you'll walk along an angled
rooftop designed to catch rainwater—notice the slanted gutter that channeled the water into
a cistern and the heavy roof slabs covering the tapestry hall below.
•Turnrightoutofthechurchcloisters, thentakethefirstrightonRuedelaCaladetoreach
the...
Classical Theater (Théâtre Antique)
This first-century
B.C.
Roman theater once seated 10,000.This theater was an elegant, three-
level structure with 27 arches radiating out to the street level. From the outside, it looked
muchlikeahalvedversionofArles'RomanArena.Budgettravelerscanpeekoverthefence
from Rue du Cloître and see just about everything for free.
Cost and Hours:
€6.50, daily May-Sept 9:00-19:00, March-April and Oct 9:00-18:00,
Nov-Feb 10:00-17:00.
Visiting the Theater:
Start with the video outside, which provides helpful background
information and images that make it easier to put the scattered stones back in place (crouch
in front to make out the small English subtitles). Next, walk to a center aisle and pull up a
stone seat. To appreciate the theater's original size, look left (about 9:00) to the upper-left
side of the tower and find the protrusion that supported the highest seating level. The struc-
ture required 33 rows of seats covering three levels to accommodate demand. During the
Middle Ages, the old theater became a convenient town quarry—St. Trophime Church was
built from theater rubble. Precious little of the original theater survives—though it still is
used for events, with seating for 3,000 spectators.
Two lonely Corinthian columns are all that remain of a three-story stage wall that once
featured more than 100 columns and statues painted in vibrant colors. The orchestra section
is defined by a semicircular pattern in the stone in front of you. Stepping up onto the left
side of the stage, look down to the slender channel that allowed the brilliant-red curtain to
disappear below, like magic. The stage, which was built of wood, was about 160 feet across
and 20 feet deep. The actors' changing rooms are backstage, down the steps.
• A block uphill is the...
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Roman Arena (Amphithéâtre)
Nearly 2,000 years ago, gladiators fought wild animals here to the delight of 20,000 scream-
ing fans. Today local daredevils still fight wild animals here—“bullgame” posters around
the arena advertise upcoming spectacles (described later, under “Experiences in Arles”). A
lengthy restoration process is almost complete, giving the amphitheater an almost bleached-
teeth whiteness. After the ticket kiosk is a helpful English information display that describes
the arena's history and renovation.
