il Giardino Romantico

這不是一塊荒廢的空地。這是考古學家只挖出一半的羅馬露天劇場。歷史可以追溯到第一世紀。原本是拿來當作是軍隊訓練營。但後來也拿來鬥雞、鬥牛、及其他競技運動[當然包含大家所熟悉的角鬥]的場所。圖片右上方所見到的教堂即是『聖約翰聖洗者教堂』。

This is not an abandoned site.  This is the ruin of a Roman amphitheatre, of which archeologists have only half uncovered.  The history of this amphitheatre can be traced back to the first century, when it was initially used as a training and drill site for soldiers.  Later, it was also used for cockfighting, bull-baiting, and other combat sports, including gladiatorial combat.  The building you see on the top right hand corner is the Church of St. John the Baptist.


這位老兄是要來帶領其他羅馬小兵來認識古羅馬對切斯特的影響。
This bloke is dressed as a Roman to instruct the little gladiators about Roman influences on Chester.


他不是在瞪我啦！
He's not staring at moi....


很有朝氣的一群小士兵唷！
What energetic bunch of lil gladiators!


這兩位帥哥正好顯示出這露天劇場到底有多大！
These two blokes really helps in showing how big this amphitheatre really is!


方便遊客上下的木階梯。
Wooden staircase built for tourists.


應該是柱子...剩下的
What remains of the amphitheatre.


再來一張。
Close up.


售票口的一部份就在此上方。


講解挖掘過程的告示牌。



被我朋友的手蓋住的那一半，就是被挖掘出來的那一半。都已經這麼大了還只是一半而已唷！可見當初這個露天劇場應該對於當時的居民是非常重要的一個娛樂場所。雖然歷史學家早就揣測切斯特會有一座露天劇場，但這個劇場其實一直到1929年才被真正的挖掘出來。而複雜的挖掘過程，牽扯到政治及經費問題，使得它從2000年至今都一直維持著現在這副模樣，毫無進展。其實是有點可惜的。你說是不是呢？

The semi-circle covered up by my friend's arm is the half of the amphitheatre that had been uncovered by archeologist.  Can you imagine how big this place had actually been?  What you can see in the picture is only half of it!  It wouldn't be too presumptous, then, to assume that this amphitheatre had once been an important centre providing entertainment for civilians back in the days.  Although historians had long speculated an extant amphitheatre, it had only been discovered in 1929.  The complicated archeological process involved financial and political issues, and because of that, the site had remained as it is now since 2000.  Personally, I think it's a real pity.  What do you think?

天仙念：第一張照片是在繞完城牆一圈時照的。其他都是在走城牆之前拍的。所以第一張才會不見那位羅馬老兄以及小小羅馬士兵們的蹤影。