Piazza dell'Anfiteatro

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is a public square in the northeastern part of Lucca, Tuscany, Italy. The square is built on the remains of a Roman amphitheater, which was constructed in the 1st or 2nd century AD. The amphitheater was used for gladiator shows and games, and could accommodate up to 10,000 spectators. Over time, the use of the building changed, and it was fortified for military purposes and later used as a marketplace. In the 19th century, the architect Lorenzo Nottolini restored the square, creating the elliptical shape that exists today. The square is surrounded by private residences and outdoor cafes, and features a cross carved into the central tile, pointing to the four gateways of the square. The floor of the piazza is nearly 3 feet higher than the original arena, and some remains of the old amphitheater can be seen beyond the walls of the piazza