Petranaki arena

The Geonosis execution arena was a large structure on the planet Geonosis. It was used for gladiatorial battles between creatures and sentient beings. Ten years after the Invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation, the arena was the site of the attempted execution of Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker and senator Padmé Amidala. A team of 200 Jedi led by Jedi Master Mace Windu was sent to the arena to rescue the trio, but were attacked by battle droids belonging to the Confederacy of Independent Systems. Most of the Jedi were killed before being rescued by the newly-formed Grand Army of the Republic, marking the beginning of the Clone Wars.

Description
Located on the planet Geonosis, the Geonosis execution arena was a circular structure comprised of large spires. There was seating inside the arena for many spectators, and certain viewers were able to watch the gladiatorial duels from a balcony. Along the base of the inside of the structure were gates that would open to release vicious creatures. The center of the arena was a flat, circular, sand floor with three columns in the middle. On the columns were chains used to keep prisoners in place during executions.

History
Ten years after the Invasion of Naboo by the Trade Federation, Geonosis was the location of massive battle droid foundries operated by the Geonosians for use by the Confederacy of Independent Systems, a political alliance of star systems that had left the Galactic Republic. When Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi was taken prisoner after discovering the foundries and the status of former Jedi Count Dooku as the leader of the separatist movement, Jedi Anakin Skywalker and senator Padmé Amidala arrived on Geonosis and attempted to rescue him. The two were captured and sentenced to be executed in the arena along with Kenobi. The Geonosians, under the leadership of Archduke Poggle the Lesser, deployed an acklay, a reek, and a nexu to kill the trio, but the three managed to escape their chains and last long enough for a team of 200 Jedi, led by Master Mace Windu, to come to their rescue. The Jedi were attacked by battle droids belonging to the Separatists, and the majority of them perished in the battle. However, just as Dooku was ordering the droids to finish off the remaining survivors, the newly-formed Grand Army of the Republic rescued the Jedi. This began the Battle of Geonosis, the first battle in the Clone Wars.

Behind the scenes
The Geonosis execution arena made an appearance in the 2002 film Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones. It was referred to as the "Geonosis execution arena" for the first time in Ultimate Star Wars published in 2015.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones