Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Signers’ Memorial
The island is sometimes accessible on foot at low tide.
Wakae Island Ruins
Sala Silver Mine
World War I Firing Walls
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è pasta... E pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House building on the U.S.-Canadian border.
Could New Border Restrictions Literally Tear the Haskell Free Library Apart?
24 minutes ago
Dug-out Dan poses for a picture.
The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism
about 6 hours ago
The Big Well
This Kansas Town Advertised the World’s Largest Well. It Wasn’t.
about 22 hours ago
Rats didn’t take over the city by being foolhardy.
Do New York City Rats Deserve Their Bad Rap?
2 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Spain Toledo Roman Circus of Toledo

Roman Circus of Toledo

The ruins of an ancient stadium that hosted gripping chariot and horse races.

Toledo, Spain

Added By
Alan Newman
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
The Roman circus of Toledo.   Antonio.velez/CC BY-SA 3.0 es
The Roman circus of Toledo.   Antonio.velez/CC BY-SA 3.0 es
Here the arches are intact.   Carlos Pino Andújar/CC BY-SA 3.0
Collapsed arches which once supported public terraces.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Opposite the public park is a recently excavated section   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Information board in the recently excavated section.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Drainage infrastructure.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Entrance to the park.   Dr Alan P Newman / Atlas Obscura User
Curve   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Toledo Roman circus   Xavixavir / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

While most of Toledo's historic structures are within the fine city walls, just outside is a real treasure dating back to the Roman occupation of Spain, a full-scale chariot racing stadium. 

The Roman 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. 

These events were typically held on special days and sometimes were organized under the patronage of noblemen, who wanted to commemorate events in their own lives. 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. 

The oblong rectangular stadium was around 1388 feet long and 330 feet wide, and could hold around 13,000 spectators, all gathered to watch the gripping races, which were often dangerous for the participants. It is thought that the circus at Toletum 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 and is well-preserved.

Most of the ruins can now be seen in a tree-covered public park on Avenida Carlos III. The presence of trees means one cannot get the same overview as one can get of Circus Maximus in Rome but there is much more to see since a lot of the infrastructure like the foundations, passages, and archways are exposed. The park represents just over half of the original circus. On the other side of Avenida Carlos III, in a former parking lot alongside Paseo Circo Romano, is another significant section of the circus which has just been excavated, but has much less remaining material. Information boards are provided and about 75 percent of the original structure is now accessible to the public.

Related Tags

Roman Races Horses Circus Ruins History

Know Before You Go

Parking is possible outside the restaurant on Paseo Circo Romano.

Community Contributors

Added By

Dr Alan P Newman

Edited By

Xavixavir

  • Xavixavir

Published

September 5, 2017

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0006:entry=toletum
  • http://www.romeacrosseurope.com/?p=5773#sthash.ey0iLiOU.dpbs
  • http://www.romeacrosseurope.com/?p=2446#sthash.f0ErZwgy.dpbs
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=8hE9SEDmsnEC&pg=PA228&dq=Roman+circus+Toletum&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi739Okvo7WAhXk34MKHfR7DasQ6AEILDAB#v=onepage&q=Roman%20circus%20Toletum&f=false
  • https://books.google.com/books?id=couetXBQO9AC&printsec=frontcover&dq=Roman+circus+Toletum&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjV0-6uwY7WAhXm1IMKHRpzCwkQ6AEIJjAA#v=onepage&q=Toledo&f=false
Roman Circus of Toledo
15 Av. de Carlos III
Toledo
Spain
39.863404, -4.029995
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Roman Baths of Toledo

Toledo, Spain

miles away

Museo de la Tortura

Toledo, Spain

miles away

Monument to the Eagle of Toledo

Toledo, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Toledo

Toledo

Spain

Places 4

Nearby Places

The Roman Baths of Toledo

Toledo, Spain

miles away

Museo de la Tortura

Toledo, Spain

miles away

Monument to the Eagle of Toledo

Toledo, Spain

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Toledo

Toledo

Spain

Places 4

Related Places

  • Roman circus of Tarragona.

    Tarragona, Spain

    Roman Circus and Praetorian Tower

    Long tunnels run under the ancient chariot racing circuit to the tower.

  • Foundation of the Aqueduct

    Barcelona, Spain

    Foundations of the Roman Aqueduct of Barcino

    These 2000 year old remains of a Roman aqueduct are hidden inside a hotel lobby.

  • Recreation of remains found directly below.

    Colchester, England

    Colchester’s Roman Circus

    It's believed emperor Hadrian himself funded this once architectural wonder.

  • The remnants of the ancient eatery.

    Pompeii, Italy

    Pompeii Thermopolium

    Before it was buried by volcanic ash, this fast-food restaurant fed the hungry hordes of ancient Rome.

  • The gyrus in front and a granary to the rear.

    Baginton, England

    Lunt Roman Fort

    This reconstructed ancient fort was home to one of the few horse training rings in the Roman Empire.

  • Roman ruins underneath the library.

    Bologna, Italy

    Roman Ruins of Salaborsa Library

    The remains of an ancient Roman city are hidden underneath Bologna's beautiful public library.

  • The Roman theater seen from Amman Citadel.

    Amman, Jordan

    Roman Theater of Amman

    This exceptionally well-preserved ancient marvel also houses a small museum dedicated to Jordanian folk tradition.

  • The members banking.

    Weybridge, England

    Brooklands Racetrack Remains

    The world's first purpose-built motor racetrack was destroyed by the outbreak of two world wars.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.