Stadium of Domitian
Stadium of Domitian
THE STADIUM OF DOMITIAN
underneath PIAZZA NAVONA
2000 years ago there was an athletics stadium with a capacity of 30,000 spectators. The stadium was an important place for social life, for economic and political events.
My Rating:
The positives:
Right in the city center you have the opportunity to explore the ancient underground. And in a place that nobody expects!
The negatives:
It's a bit small...
Tip:
Be sure to reserve your ticket online and invest in an audio guide or travel guide.
Last Modified: 14.01.2025 | Céline & Susi
Stadium of Domitian
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The details
at a glance
Stadium of Domitian
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What is there
to see?
What is left of the Stadium of Domitian, where sports competitions took place between the 1st and 5th centuries, is hardly visible today on the Piazza Navona. In Rome, there were not only stadiums for gladiator fights (like the Colosseum) or chariot races (like the Circus Maximus) but also for athletics (Stadio di Domiziano), mock sea battles (Naumachia Augusti), and more. Roman emperors built various stadiums in the city to keep the population occupied, both during construction and afterward with the games, so they wouldn’t have time to think about politics.
From the outside, except for the oval shape of the square, there’s little that reveals the former presence of the Stadium of Domitian, including the obelisk that now stands in the center of the square. Contrary to popular belief, this obelisk didn’t originate from the stadium but from the Circus of Maxentius on the Appian Way.
To see actual remnants of the Stadium of Domitian, you need to descend 4.5 meters underground. There, you can find wall ruins, arches, and stairs, as well as various video reconstructions that provide a good idea of what the original stadium looked like. Additionally, numerous images and informational signs provide details about the stadium itself, the emperors, the Roman Empire, and life in ancient times. This blend of ancient stones and modern media makes a visit to the museum both engaging and informative.
The Stadium of Domitian likely had its main entrances on the north and south sides (the shorter sides), with additional entrances on the longer sides. The two main entrances were supported by marble columns, while the rest of the facade (arcades) was made of travertine blocks (similar to the Colosseum). Spectators could take their seats on two levels, which they could access via brick stairs.
For the interior of the stadium, as is still evident today, bricks were predominantly used. These bricks were cost-effective and relatively quick to work with. It’s incredible that even in ancient times, bricks were marked by their manufacturers, much like modern companies imprint their logos on their products.
The surviving statues depict what is recorded in history books: Sports competitions were conducted by men only, and they competed in the nude. The remains of latrines show that hygiene was important to the Romans.
Even though only a very small part of the stadium is accessible for visitors today, it’s fascinating how much you can learn about the city and life in ancient times by exploring the underground areas of Rome.
By the way, the name “Piazza Navona” probably comes from the ancient word “Agone,” which means “competition.”
Stadium of Domitian
A bit of History
The large oval shape of Piazza Navona may remind you a bit of the Circus Maximus. However, instead of chariot races, this place hosted competitions resembling the Olympic Games in Greece. It was Emperor Domitian who had the stadium built in 86 AD. It could accommodate 30,000 spectators, had two tiers, and measured 275 meters in length and 106 meters in width.
The stadium was an essential location for social, economic, and political activities. The sport shows entertained the people, and the arcades on the outside were used not only by merchants and artisans for their businesses but also by prostitutes. Politicians used these events to enhance their popularity.
This holds true even in the 21st century. The square still serves social and economic well-being, with restaurants and shops lining the Piazza. In the winter, you can find one of the few Christmas markets in Rome right on the square. Until a few years ago, Piazza Navona was also a popular spot for street artists and musicians. However, this has since been legally prohibited.
Since the 1st century, this square has been a place of entertainment. However, it’s a misconception that naval battles (known as Naumachia) took place here in antiquity. Instead, it was used for alternating sports and poetry competitions.
The last athletic and poetry contests were held in 407 AD. During the Middle Ages, the foundation walls were used as living space. Later on, bullfights and horse races were occasionally held here, and in the 18th and 19th centuries, mock naval battles were also staged. The square, which had a slight depression, was flooded to create an artificial lake. After that, the foundations and walls of the spectator stands were completely converted into living spaces, but the Piazza retained the oval shape of the stadium.
In 1936, some houses that had stood here were destroyed. During this process, the ruins of the stadium were uncovered, and they were made visible to the public as part of a museum. In addition to this museum, remains of the stadium can also be visited under the Church of St. Agnes and under the École Française de Rome.
Official website of the Stadium of Domitian (EN): stadiodomiziano.com
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2020 – 2025
With the support of Susanne Vukan.
