Circo Romano de Toledo history

Toledo was once the Roman city of Toletum and was an important regional centre and capital of the Roman province of Carthaginensis.

Very little remains of this site, but it is thought to have once been the biggest Roman Circus of the time and similar in style to Rome’s Circus Maximus.

The circus, built to host entertainment events like horse and chariot races, was likely constructed sometime in the first century, possibly under orders from Emperor Augustus, and was one of the largest of its time.

A stone inscription found records a day of games that was paid for by a resident to celebrate his elevation to the status of Sevirate or priest of high stature.

It is thought that the circus at was used until around the 4th or 5th century, after which it was mostly abandoned, save for its sporadic use as a cemetery and a potter’s colony.

The site was excavated in the early 20th century, the most extensive excavations took place in 1927 and 1929, directed by the Commission of Historical-Artistic Monuments of the Province of Toledo with Emiliano Castaños and Francisco de Borja San Román, respectively in front of them and which included a topographic survey by Rey Shepherd.

Circo Romano de Toledo today

Today, visitors can wander through the pretty modern-day park in which the circus is found and explore the ruins with ease.

The remains of the circus are mostly comprised of an array of low-lying arches from the lower levels of the structure and it gives little impression as to what the original circus would have looked like.

Getting to Circo Romano de Toledo

Toledo is around a 1 hour drive from Madrid. It is also easily accessible by public transport, particularly train and coach. The journey is 30 minutes by train from Atocha station. Toledo train station is around 25 minutes walk from the Roman Circus, there are also several buses on the route.

Built and rebuilt several times, at its largest the Circus Maximus held between 150,000 and 250,000 people and today is a public park.

Circus Maximus history

It is unclear as to when the first version of the Circus Maximus was constructed – it was certainly the oldest of Rome’s arenas and served as a model for circuses across the Roman Empire. In Livy’s history of Rome, it was the Etruscan king Lucius Tarquinius Priscus who built raised wooden seating at the Circus and these were made permanent in 329 BC.

Around 50 BC, the Circus Maximus was enlarged under Julius Caesar. The track measured 621 metres long and a canal was cut between the track and seating to protect spectators. A fire in 31 BC did significant damage, repaired under Augustus who also added the Egyptian obelisk brought from Heliopolis at huge expense.

Augustus also added a pulvinar – a large shrine or temple – where he would occasionally watch the games sat beside the gods. The purpose of the Circus Maximus was for ludi, Rome’s public games that celebrated religious festivals.

Because of its size, the Circus Maximus was also the most suitable space for religious processions and the popular large-scale events known as venationes. In the late 3rd century, Emperor Probus put on a show at the circus with beasts being hunted through a specially built forest.

As Christianity spread across the empire, the ludi were seen as less appropriate. The last known beat hunt took place in 523 AD and the last races in 549. After the 6th century the circus was quarried for building materials and the lower levels were gradually flooded and buried.

Circus Maximus today

Today, the Circus Maximus is a shadow of its former magnificence as its original track is now buried 6 metres below the modern surface. Without its Egyptian obelisks and Roman monuments, many see it as just a field. Yet with its shape and vast size still clearly visible, the Circus Maximus is definitely worth visiting and with a little imagination the enormous terrace provides a good indication of the original size and glory of the ancient site.

In the centre of the city, the Circus Maximus is often used for concerts and meetings and has hosted the likes of The Rolling Stones and Genesis. Visitors can also explore the site’s history through the virtual reality ‘Circo Maximo Experience’.

Getting to the Circus Maximus

Nestled in the valley between the Palatine and Aventine hills, the Circus Maximus is best reached via public transport: the metro B line goes to Circo Maximo, and tram 3 and buses 51, 75, 81, 85, 87 and 118 all stop along the Viale Aventino nearby.

Circus of Maxentius history

Located on the famous Via Appia, the Circus of Maxentius was built sometime during the reign of the Emperor Maxentius between 306 and 312 AD. Some say that the reason for its excellent preservation was the fact that it was barely used, if at all. The only recorded games at the Circus of Maxentius were its inaugural ones, held in honour of Maxentius’ son Valerius Romulus who died very young in 309 AD.

The Circus of Maxentius was excavated in the 19th century by Italian archaeologist, Antonio Nibby, who found the inscription ‘divine Romulus’ that linked the structure to Maxentius. The spina running down the track was exactly 1000 Roman feet long (296 metres) and would have been covered in marble. At the east end of the track was (and remains) a small triumphal arch.

After the death of Maxentius’ son, the circus became a funeral monument: the inaugural games became funeral games and Romulus was laid to rest in the mausoleum. The villa and circus complex was later taken by Constantine the Great after defeating Maxentius at the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, 3 years later.

Circus of Maxentius today

Today, some of the structures in the complex of which the Circus of Maxentius formed a part still stand, together with its central dividing line – spina – and its entrance towers. It would have been the site of the villa of Maxentius.

The site is still under excavation, but is open to the public, who enter via the west end of the circus by the imposing towers still stand, which once held a mechanism to raise the starting gates for chariot races.

There are information panels dotted about as you wander the dramatic ruins of the villa and circus surrounded by well-kept gardens and lush greenery, hinting at the site’s former grandeur. Plus, visiting is without charge, so the Circus of Maxentius is a must-see.

Getting to the Circus of Maxentius

If walking the famous Appian Way, then the Circus of Maxentius is around 3 miles from the trail’s beginning. Otherwise, buses 118 and 660 stop at Appia Pignatelli which will take you from or to the Colosseum.

A vast sports arena measuring over 400 metres long and 30 metres wide, able to accommodate up to 30,000 people, Merida’s Roman Circus would have been the site of chariot races and even naval games, considered to be one of the largest of its kind.

Merida Roman Circus history

Whilst it is unclear as to when the circus was constructed, it may have been built around 25 BC, when Merida itself was founded and inaugurated some 30 years later. After the collapse of the Western Roman Empire as Christianity spread across Spain, the circus saw more use than the other Roman structures in Merida. The races and athletic games were seen as less sinful than spectacles found in the amphitheatre.

Merida Roman Circus today

Today, Merida’s Roman Circus is in fantastic condition for a ruin of this type and still boasts its original track and spina wall, stands and gateways, including the Porta Pompae – the main entrance gate. Sat near the middle edge of the circus grounds, there is now a visitor centre where tourists can learn about its history from a short film in Spanish and dotted around the circus, several display signs in English.

Walking up to the observation platform and looking out across the circus, it is easy to imagine chariots furiously racing across the length of the track. Like other historic sites in Merida, the Roman Circus is part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Mérida, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Getting to Merida Roman Circus

Located on the east side of Merida, the Roman Circus is just off the N-630 road. For those on foot, the circus is found besides the Parque de los Centollos and is a short walk from the Amphitheatre of Merida and the San Lazaro Roman Baths. Via public transport, you can get to Merida on the Intercity, MD or REG.EXP train lines from Badajoz or Caceres and the station is only a 15 minute walk from the circus.

Tarragona Roman Circus history

When Tarragona Roman Circus was constructed it would have been able to accommodate up to 30,000 spectators to the games and was just one of a series of impressive public buildings serving the Roman settlement of Tarraco. The circus was in use until the 5th century AD, when it was abandoned. Used as a palace for the Crown of Aragón in the 12th century, the Roman circus continued afterwards as a prison until falling to ruin.

Tarragona Roman Circus today

Today, although little of the original structure survives, visitors can still get an insight into the original scale and setting of this ancient chariot racetrack. Most of the circus is now buried under the more modern buildings which were built atop the ruins, largely in the 19th century, though the small exposed area is actually quite well preserved.

At one end of the Circus complex stands the Praetorium, a Roman tower (that you can climb) which once formed the corner of the large Roman forum. This forum was connected to the circus complex below via a series of passageways and tunnels, which were also used to service the games held at the circus.

Miraculously, some of these underground tunnels have actually survived and are now open to the public – making a visit to this site a genuinely impressive experience.

Getting to Tarragona Roman Circus

Reus International Airport is a 20 minute drive to Tarragona’s centre and otherwise the Estación de Tarragona Adif train station in the city centre for the regional train connections to Reus, Barcelona, Tortosa and long-distance Renfe trains to Valencia, Andalucia and Madrid.

Buses 8, 11, 12, 16, 161 and 162 all stop at Rambla Vella just outside the circus.