Stadiums Built Over Ancient Ruins and Historic Landmarks

2. The Roman Theater of Cartagena – Cartagena, Spain

In one of the most astonishing rediscoveries of recent times, a Roman amphitheater dating back to 5 BC was found directly beneath the modern-day stadium of Cartagena FC in Spain. For decades, fans had unknowingly watched games from the stands of Estadio Cartagonova without realizing Roman spectators had once done the same—thousands of years earlier. During a renovation in the 1980s, workers unearthed parts of the ancient structure, revealing seating areas, columns, and mosaics from the era of Emperor Augustus. Though the stadium still stands today, part of the Roman amphitheater has been carefully excavated and turned into a museum. Built Over: A 1st-Century Roman Amphitheater.