Some things were truly built to last. Some two millennia ago, Romans constructed amphitheaters across their vast empire, as far north as modern-day Scotland and as far south as what’s now Libya. Large, circular or oval open-air venues with raised 360-degree seating, some 230 such structures are known to have existed. The most famous amphitheater, Rome’s Colosseum, could accommodate 50,000 or more spectators to its gladiator games, wild animal hunts and naval battles.

While most Roman amphitheaters have long since succumbed to the ravages of time, several remain or have been refurbished to a standard allowing them to host events in our own day and age. Here are just a few spectacles set in these historic venues:

Pompeii, Italy: The Amphitheatre of Pompeii was constructed around 70 BC, buried in ash by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, and excavated completely in the early 19th century. Nowadays known as the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, the venue is set to host a series of 14 live events between June 27 and Aug. 5. Some of artists performing as part of “Pompei è Musica” include Andrea Bocelli on June 27 and 28; Dream Theater on July 2; Jean-Michel Jarre on July 5; Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals on July 15; Jimmy Sax and the Symphonic Dance Orchestra on July 17; Nick Cave on July 19 and Bryan Adams on July 25. Online: tinyurl.com/3fnzh25y

Verona, Italy: The city’s most famous event, an opera festival, traces its history back to 1913, when an event was staged to mark the centenary of the birth of Giuseppe Verdi. Since then, millions of music lovers and tourists have made their way to the city’s amphitheater on warm summer evenings to take in the unique atmosphere of one of Italy’s most iconic events.

From mid-June to early September each year, the Arena Opera Festival offers a wider variety of shows than its name suggests. The 2025 season, which begins on June 13 and concludes on Sept. 6, includes the following performances:

Opera: Nabucco; Aida, Rigoletto and La Traviata; all composed by Giuseppe Verdi; Carmen by Georges Bizet.

Concerts: The cantata Carmina Burana by Carl Orff on Aug. 15; Viva Vivaldi - The Four Seasons Immersive Concert on Aug. 27; and Jonas Kaufmann in opera on Aug. 3.

Dance: The ballets Roberto Bolle and Friends on July 22 and 23; Zorba the Greek on Aug. 26 and Aug. 31.

Ticket prices vary enormously, depending on seat location and performance, with the most expensive coming in at 360 euros and the cheapest at 30 euros. Spectators holding the least expensive tickets are advised to bring their own cushions, as their places are on stone steps. Online: arena.it/en

Pula, Croatia: This coastal city on the tip of the Istrian peninsula is home to the sixth-largest amphitheater of antiquity. The venue hosts a variety of events throughout the summer season.

Opera: Nabucco by Giuseppe Verdi, July 2.

Concerts: Tom Jones on June 24; Jean-Michel Jarre on June 28; Bryan Adams on July 29; Grace Jones on Aug. 8; and Jose Carreras on Aug. 26.

Spectacles: The Spectacvla Antiqva, a performance of gladiator-inspired battles, takes place on June 7 and 13.

For additional dates and performances, see tinyurl.com/24zk5p6w.

The amphitheater also serves as one of the main venues of the Pula Film Festival. The event’s 72nd edition is set to run July 7-17. Online: pulafilmfestival.hr

Arles, France: After Rome, Arles is home to the largest number of Roman remains, eight of which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The city’s wonderfully preserved amphitheatre will host an equestrian show on July 28 and a show titled “Je suis ne Roi” on Aug. 4, along with other events related to bullfighting. Online: arenes-arles.com/r-servation-2025

Nîmes, France: This amphitheater, constructed at the end of the first century AD and considered one of the best preserved, will host concerts by Korn on June 24; Mika on June 26; London Grammar on June 29; Santana and Jimmy Sax on July 21 and Scorpions on July 24. The Marvel Infinity Saga, a cinematic concert performed by L’Orchestre National Montpellier Occitanie, will take place on June 27. Online: festivaldenimes.com

Trier, Germany: Founded in 16 BC during the reign of Roman Emperor Augustus, Trier is considered Germany’s oldest city. While the Porta Nigra city gate is its most prominent landmark dating back to these times, thermal baths and an amphitheater are additional remnants of the era.

From May to September each year, visitors have the opportunity to witness events bringing the Roman times back to life. On Aug. 2 and 3, the remains of the city’s amphitheater will host a contingent of gladiators. The remains of the imperial baths will serve as the site of a Roman crafts market on June 7-9, a Roman food and drink event July 5-6 and Roman military reenactors Sept. 6-7. Admission to the events is included in the cost of regular entry tickets. Online: trier-info.de/highlights/roemer-leben