A small valley called Apprezzau, a short distance to the South of the Roman town, holds the remains of the amphitheatre of Fordongianus (figg. 1-2).

Fig. 1 - Picture of the amphitheatre of Fordongianus during the dig (photo Archaeological Superintendence Cagliari).

Fig. 2 - Roman amphitheatre of Fordongianus: map (from Bacco et alii 2010, p. 1396).

Recent digs have identified two stages of building activity on the monument.

In the first, datable as to the Trajan period (98-117 A.D.), the amphitheatre had two opposite, curved embankments, divided into sectors by walls with large stone blocks; the base of the podium facing the area was also in blocks. Outside, the embankments were contained by a block pillar structure with intermediate spaces held by walls in cement mortar covered in opus vittatum, that is a surface alternating rows of tufa blocks and bricks. 

In the second stage, of the Severan period (193-211 A.D.), at the start of the III cent. A.D., the amphitheatre saw its primitive front covered by a tunnel with open arches; moreover, a small room was built for an indeterminable cult.

We know of just a few amphitheatres in Sardinia: Cagliari, Nora, Sant’Antioco, Tharros and Fordongianus. The most imposing remains are undoubtedly those of the Cagliari one, large in size and built on the rock of the hill of Buoncammino (figs. 3-4).

Fig. 3 - The Roman amphitheatre of Cagliari, in a photo of the 90s last century (from www.sardegnadigitallibrary.it: photo by Anedda Gianluigi).

Fig. 4 - Plant of the Roman amphitheatre of Cagliari (from Pala 1994, p. 147).