When we think of the Roman Empire, our minds often conjure images of the Colosseum’s grandeur or the solemn ruins of the Forum in Rome. While these are undoubtedly magnificent testaments to a bygone era, they represent only the epicenter of a civilization that stretched from the misty shores of Britain to the sun-scorched deserts of the Middle East. For centuries, Roman engineers, soldiers, and citizens left their indelible mark across Europe, and many of these incredible structures lie waiting to be discovered, far from the bustling crowds of the Italian capital. These are the hidden gems, the whispers of history in places you might not expect.
The Croatian Colosseum: Pula Arena
In the heart of Istria, on the coast of Croatia, lies the city of Pula. Here, you will find one of the most stunning and best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world: the Pula Arena. Built in the 1st century AD, during the reign of Emperor Vespasian—at the same time as its more famous cousin in Rome—this arena is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Its outer wall, constructed from local limestone, remains almost entirely intact, rising majestically against the backdrop of the Adriatic Sea.
What makes the Pula Arena so special is its completeness and its accessibility. Unlike the Colosseum, which has lost much of its interior structure, you can wander through the Pula Arena’s underground passages, where gladiators and wild animals once awaited their fate. The sheer scale is breathtaking, capable of holding over 20,000 spectators. Today, it serves as a unique venue for concerts and film festivals, its ancient stones echoing with modern music instead of the roar of the crowd. It offers a tangible connection to the past without the overwhelming throngs of tourists, allowing for a more personal and reflective experience.
The Pula Arena is the only remaining Roman amphitheater to have all four side towers and all three Roman architectural orders entirely preserved. Its builders used local limestone, which gives it a distinct white sheen that glows during sunrise and sunset. This remarkable state of preservation is largely due to its continuous use throughout history, even being used for knightly tournaments in the Middle Ages.
Rome on the Moselle: Trier, Germany
It might be surprising to learn that Germany is home to one of the most significant collections of Roman ruins outside of Italy. The city of Trier, nestled in the Moselle wine valley, was once a major capital of the Western Roman Empire known as Augusta Treverorum. Founded in 16 BC, it is often called the “Rome of the North,” and for good reason. The city is a treasure trove of monumental Roman architecture.
The Black Gate (Porta Nigra)
The most iconic of Trier’s landmarks is the Porta Nigra, or Black Gate. This is the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps and is in an astonishing state of preservation. Its darkened sandstone facade, from which it gets its name, gives it an imposing and mysterious aura. You can climb its towers for a panoramic view of the city, walking the same corridors Roman sentries patrolled nearly two millennia ago. The sheer size and defensive complexity of the gate underscore Trier’s importance in the empire.
More Roman Wonders
But Trier’s story doesn’t end there. The city also boasts the ruins of two Roman baths—the Barbara Baths and the Imperial Baths—an amphitheater built into a hillside, and the Aula Palatina (Basilica of Constantine). This basilica was the throne hall of Emperor Constantine and its vast, open interior, the largest single-room structure to survive from Roman times, was designed to impress and intimidate visitors with the power of the emperor. Exploring Trier feels like stepping directly into a Roman provincial capital.
The French Rome: Nîmes and the Pont du Gard
In the south of France, the region of Provence is dotted with Roman remnants, but the city of Nîmes stands out. It boasts such an exceptional collection of Roman buildings that it’s often referred to as the “most Roman city outside Italy.” The centerpiece is the Arena of Nîmes, another wonderfully preserved amphitheater built around 70 AD. It is so well-preserved, in fact, that it is still used today for bullfights and concerts, seating thousands of spectators just as it did in ancient times.
Just a short walk from the arena is the Maison Carrée, a former temple that is arguably the most complete and beautifully preserved Roman temple in the world. Its pristine Corinthian columns and delicate acanthus leaf carvings have inspired architects for centuries, including Thomas Jefferson, who used it as a model for the Virginia State Capitol. Its survival is a near-miracle, having been repurposed over the centuries as a church, a stable, and a city archive before its historical value was fully recognized.
The Engineering Marvel of Pont du Gard
A short drive from Nîmes is a structure that perfectly encapsulates Roman ingenuity: the Pont du Gard. This is not a ruin but a triumphant survivor. This three-tiered aqueduct bridge was part of a 50-kilometer system built to carry water to Nîmes. Standing nearly 50 meters high, it spans the Gardon River with a grace and precision that is simply awe-inspiring. To walk across its top tier or kayak underneath it is to appreciate the ambition and skill of its builders, who constructed it with precisely cut stones and no mortar. It is a testament to the idea that for the Romans, infrastructure was also art.
Britannia’s Spa Town: Bath, England
Far to the north, in a province the Romans considered the very edge of the known world, lies another surprise. In the English city of Bath, the Romans discovered natural hot springs and did what they did best: they built a magnificent bathing complex around them. The Roman Baths in Bath are one of the best-preserved Roman religious spas in the world. The site was dedicated to the goddess Sulis Minerva, a clever fusion of the local Celtic deity Sulis and the Roman goddess Minerva.
Visitors can walk on the original Roman pavements, see the ruins of the temple, and marvel at the Great Bath, a massive lead-lined pool filled with steaming, geothermally heated water. The site includes an incredibly well-curated museum that displays artifacts found during excavations, from curses inscribed on lead tablets thrown into the sacred spring to the bronze head of the goddess Sulis Minerva herself. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the daily life, rituals, and beliefs of people in Roman Britain, showing how Roman culture adapted to and merged with local traditions.
