The Piazza Sant’Oronzo is the center of Lecce. The Roman Amphitheater is the heart of the Piazza. Built by Caesar Augustus in the first century BC before he was Emperor of the Roman Empire. The Amphitheater demonstrates the importance of Lecce in the Empire.
The Amphitheater was abandoned and covered for centuries by subsequent building in the center of Lecce. It was rediscovered in the early 20th century when excavating the foundation for a new Bank of Italy on the Piazza. In the Fascist era of Italy, a National Insurance building was constructed rimming the amphitheater and mimicking its curve albeit with a Brutilist architectural style.
The Amphitheater was estimated to be 53 by 34 meters when it was built. Today the ruins to be seen are a small part of that original structure. It is estimated that up to 25,000 spectators could attend the events available to Lecce’s populace.
Entertainment in the arena followed a repeated daily schedule. Mornings were devoted to fights between gladiators and animals. Lunch was reserved for public executions. And afternoon was devoted to gladiator against gladiator. It was a full day of “bread and circus” the citizens of Lecce.
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