Spectacular - Etruscan Civilization of 900-500 BC

 Neat = Spectacular

Our second day in Caserta and Sandra's research has hit another homerun!

Santa Maria Capua Vetere,Caserta (Campanian amphitheatre)

Alot of people, us included, have heard of the Roman Colosseum, and many of us have been there. Matter of fact we are fortunate enough to have been to many such World Heritage Sites (WHS).

Well the Colosseum in Rome is apparently a nickname for the Flavian Amphitheatre. Now we all know. So this amphitheater predates the Roman one by centuries and is attributed to the Etruscan civilization of 900-500 BC. It is thought by many to be the model for Rome's amphitheater.

Our weather forecasting skills allow us to see it early enough in the day to avoid some of the thundershowers that are rolling through western Italy right now. The big difference between this and the one in Rome, is that it is in Hidden Italy and away from alot of tourism. But the artifacts and access are as Sandra said, "Neat" which I suggest is spectacular. Regardless, our tour of the site today was amazing.

There may have been another 15-20 people on site at the time of our visit and they all were Italian. The site is more 'natural' in its state, meaning you are seeing it not reconstructed in the manner of the famed Colosseum, but rather with almost worn out seating due to the age and exposure to the elements. 

Here in a series of photos is the story of what we saw.

Campanian amphitheatre (Click on any pic to enlarge)

Inside the main seating area

Amazing walk through the staging area
for the beast fights

The Cages for the animals
below ground

The Main corridor leading to steps
 that would have the combatant
animals or people enter the arena.

Artifacts in natural patina