ROMAN STADIUM

What is left from it today is expanded from Pantanassis str to Gerokostopoulou str and between 25th March str. (Agiou Georgiou) and Hephaistou str.. However archaeologists believe that it was expanding to Alex. Ypsilandou str., where was the arena.

Historical Facts

Constructed between 80 -90 A.D., the Stadium was considered a gift to the city of Patras by the emperor Domitian, in celebration of the 100 years since the foundation of the city in 14 B.C. It’s a long shaped construction (200x90 meters) with its short sides curved.

The east long side was built on the cliff of the nearby hill, the rest stood on a strong line of walls.

There were several hallways between the seats as also dazzling vaulted entrances.

There was a number of underground hallways (cryptoportici) in service of the athletes and events.

Wall construction was ruined by natural causes

There are no remains of the Stadium on ground level

Another part of the Stadium has been excavated in a nearby block (corner Karaiskaki and Patreos str.)

The excavated area

Marble decorations - detail

This two zone mosaic was found in a roman villa nearby (Psilalonia). It is dated at 2nd-3rd c. A.D. and its upper zone shows musical and dramatic events while its lower shows athletes and athletic games. Information concerning the combination of artistic and athletic events is also found in the journals of the famous traveler Pausanias. Archeologists believe that gladiator battles might also have taken place in the Stadium.

TODAY…View to the sea from the ancient Stadium