In the very heart of the City of London lies a piece of history that most people have no idea exists. Londoners pass by daily, unaware they’re standing on the remains of an arena where Romans once gathered for bloodthirsty entertainment.
While most people associate amphitheatres with Rome and Pompeii, London’s ruins are a reminder that the city was once a bustling Roman settlement known as Londinium.
Two thousand years ago, the spot where Guildhall Art Gallery now stands was the stage for some of the city’s most brutal spectacles. Crowds gathered here to watch gladiators fight, wild animals tear into each other, and criminals meet their fate in public executions.
It’s only when you step inside the notorious gallery that this secret is revealed. In the museum’s basement sits the remains of London’s Roman amphitheatre.
You can visit the Roman amphitheatre for free -Credit:Ines Santos/ MyLondon
The Roman ruins were hidden underground for centuries until they were rediscovered in 1988. Archaeologists uncovered the curved stone walls of the amphitheatre during rebuilding works after the gallery was destroyed in the Blitz.
It took a decade to carefully integrate the site into the new gallery. In 2002, the amphitheatre opened to the public for the first time in nearly 2000 years, allowing visitors to walk through the preserved ruins and imagine the roar of the Roman crowds.
For history lovers, the amphitheatre offers an unforgettable glimpse into Roman London. But even if you’re not a history buff, there’s something eerie about standing in a place where life and death once hung on the cheers of a crowd.
Outside, the courtyard of Guildhall Art Gallery marks the exact perimeter of the ancient arena with a circular line. Thousands of people pass through it every day, never realising what those lines actually mean.
The circular black line marks the Roman arena that hides underneath
The free gallery is also worth a visit, boasting an impressive collection of Victorian paintings, London-themed works, and pieces from the City of London Corporation’s collection.
What makes this site so unusual is how it blends into the modern city. One moment you’re surrounded by glass towers and busy offices; the next you’re standing in the shadow of stone walls that have survived nearly two millennia.
Next time you’re in the Square Mile, don’t just rush past. Step inside Guildhall Art Gallery and discover the Roman amphitheatre where London’s earliest residents once lived, fought and died for spectacle.
To see more videos from our London’s Hidden Secrets series, visit the topic page here.
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