Teatro Romano - Termini Imerese

The monument is in a poor state of conservation and for more than half of its extension it has been covered by civilian housing . Already in partial ruin from the 16th century, it was completely destroyed , according to a news report from Biscari, to build the advanced works of the castle in anticipation of the Spanish siege of 1718. Today some structures are visible that have been brought to light after the excavations carried out by Salinas in 1909-1911 .

The Amphitheater Termini Imerese is a modest building (the external ellipse measures 98 x 75 m) whose poor state of conservation makes any hypothesis of reconstruction difficult.

The arena (53 x 30 m) , of which only the northern part is visible today, was excavated directly underground, as was part of the podium and the first menian of the cavea . In fact, the floor of the arena is about 10 feet below the level of the outer porch.

Two entrances to the arena are also visible: the main entrance to the north (about 4 meters wide) and the secondary entrance to the west of the first (1.25 meters wide).

The cavea is divided into two parts, one raised, the other dug into the ground. The outer facade probably consisted of a single row of arches and an attic above. There are no traces of marble decorations.

Willem Vandenameele