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In Ancient Athens, theater was regarded as the pinnacle of artistic expression. Performances in front of audiences combined poetry, dance, music, and acting.
Theater has evolved into a global source of creativity and inspiration. While most are familiar with iconic venues like Broadway in New York, Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, La Scala in Milan, and the Sydney Opera House, what about the theaters of the past and the grandeur they once held? Below is a list of ten of the best-preserved and historically significant ancient theaters, primarily from Greek and Roman times. Astonishingly, they remain open to visitors today.
10. The Theater of Side
The Roman ruins of Side—which are still remarkably well-preserved—include a temple, a city gate, and a grand theater with a seating capacity of about 15,000 people. Side is a popular resort town on the Mediterranean coast of southern Turkey. Founded by Greek settlers in the seventh century B.C., it became one of the region's most significant trade hubs. In 25 B.C., Side joined the Roman province of Galatia and flourished through its olive oil and slave trade. For many years, the theater served as the central cultural venue of the city, drawing notable figures from across the Mediterranean.
The ruins of the theater would later be repurposed for gladiatorial combat—and, during the rise of Christianity, even transformed into a church.
9. The Roman Theater of Bosra
Bosra, an ancient city in present-day Syria, lies just south of Damascus. One of the oldest cities in the world, it is mentioned in Egyptian hieroglyphs from the fourteenth century B.C. The Romans conquered Bosra in A.D. 106, making it the capital of Roman Arabia.
The Theater of Bosra was constructed shortly after, with a capacity to accommodate up to 15,000 spectators. Enclosed by a fortress built by the Ayyubid Dynasty, it is considered one of the most well-preserved Roman theaters in the world. The theater features remarkable acoustics, a grand three-story proscenium, and thirty-five rows of seating.
8. The Theater at Delphi
Delphi, as many are aware, was one of the most prominent locations in Ancient Greek religion, housing the sanctuary and oracle of Apollo. The shrine dedicated to Apollo at Delphi was established in the eighth century B.C., and the site played a crucial role in the Pythian Games. Key architectural features of Delphi include the Temple of Apollo, the Treasury of the Athenians, the stadium, and—most importantly for us—the theater.
The ancient theater of Delphi was built on a hillside, offering visitors a panoramic view of the entire sanctuary and the stunning landscape that surrounds it. Constructed in the fourth century B.C., it had a seating capacity of five thousand spectators. Though excavated and partially restored, the theater is in a dilapidated state; the cavea has sunken, the limestone blocks are deteriorating, and many of its architectural elements are scattered throughout the area.
7. The Roman Theater of Amman
The Roman Theater in Amman, still one of Jordan's most remarkable landmarks, was built during the reign of Antoninus Pius and could accommodate up to six thousand spectators. The theater and the adjacent odeon were positioned on either side of a colonnaded forum, although only a small portion of this forum remains today. These structures were originally located next to a stream and the main road, the Decumanus Maximus; the stream now flows underground, and the road has been built over. A triple-arched gate that once stood to the north of the forum, serving as the entrance to the processional stairway leading up to the citadel, has also vanished; it was still being mentioned by travelers as late as the 1900s.
In 1948, the theater served as a temporary refuge for thousands of Palestinian refugees fleeing their homes in what would become Israel. Within just two weeks, the population of Amman nearly doubled.
6. The Greek Theater of Taormina
Once a thriving Greek colony on the eastern shore of Sicily, Taormina boasts a theater dating back to the 2nd century B.C. From this ancient site, one can enjoy breathtaking views of nearby landmarks, including Mount Etna, the Bay of Naxos, Castelmola, and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
The Romans later renovated and expanded the theater, transforming it into one of the largest ancient theaters in Sicily, second only to the one in Syracuse. Today, this magnificent historical monument serves as the venue for Taormina Arte, hosting the renowned International Film, Theater, and Dance Festival.
5. The Merida Theater
Mérida is home to several remarkable buildings, but the theater—sponsored by Consul Marcus Agrippa—is unquestionably the most important in the city, and arguably throughout the entire Iberian Peninsula.
This theater is a prime example of traditional Roman design, featuring three distinct seating sections based on the social status of the audience. It is believed to have had a seating capacity of approximately 5,500 spectators.
Over the centuries, the theater has been restored multiple times, with each renovation introducing new architectural elements and decorative features. Its most recent restoration occurred in the 1970s, after which it has remained in its current form. Today, it continues to be used as a performance venue, particularly for the annual classical theater festival.
4. The Theater of Dionysus
The Theater of Dionysus, situated right beneath the Acropolis, is thought to be the oldest theater in existence.
In the Classical period, Athenian dramas were performed here during the Great Dionysia, one of the city's most important religious festivals.
It is believed to have been constructed by the descendants of the tyrant Peisistratos, and over time it has undergone numerous modifications and expansions, leaving its architectural evolution somewhat unclear. The remains that can be seen today are primarily from the late Roman period, with only a few rows of seats dating back to the Classical Greek era.
Currently, efforts are being made to restore the ancient theater using original Corinthian stone fragments that have been scattered around the site.
3. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus
If this list was based only on cultural and historical impact, then Epidaurus would get the number one spot without question—but since we’re also taking into account its unique story and location, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus gets the nod instead.
Carved into the southern slope of the Athenian Acropolis, the odeon was built in 161 A.D. by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, so it’s foremost a memorial which also happened to function as a theater. It’s very possible that Herodes was the richest Athenian at the time. Though he was Greek in blood, he was an honored and privileged Roman citizen.
His vast wealth and education (he was a philosopher, sophist, and rhetorician) made him very popular, even among the royal Roman families. It is said that he was also the teacher of two Roman emperors: Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. He lived a distinctly Roman lifestyle, and married a young and very beautiful Roman woman named Rigillia, who unfortunately died while she was still quite young.
The mourning of Herodes Atticus was so unbearable that he painted every wall and curtain of his house black and refused to leave it for a whole year. When he finally got over his depression, he made various dedications to the memory of his wife. One of them was a monument right under the Parthenon, which he first called “The Odeon of Rigilla” after his wife, but which he then rather selfishly renamed “The Odeon of Herodes Atticus.”
2. The Epidaurus Theater
The Epidaurus theater is arguably the most renowned and best-preserved ancient theater in existence, with many considering it the rightful contender for the top spot on this list.
Once the religious and political center of Epidaurus, a relatively small city-state overshadowed by powerful neighbors like Corinth, Sparta, and Athens, this theater became a symbol of Greek heritage. Excavations, which started in 1880 and were finalized with restorations in the 20th century, uncovered one of the finest examples of ancient Greek theater.
With fifty-five rows of seating, split into twelve tiers at the lower level and twenty-two on the upper, the theater holds a capacity of over twenty thousand spectators. The remarkable acoustics of this venue have sparked numerous theories—some suggest wind currents may have carried sound, while others believe the design of masks or the structure of the seats played a role. However, no single theory has been conclusively proven, even after extensive study.
1. The Roman Theater of Orange
Built under the reign of Emperor Augustus in the first century A.D., the Roman Theater of Orange was closed by an official decree in 391 A.D., following the Christian Church's condemnation of what it saw as barbaric spectacles.
Restored in the nineteenth century, the ancient theater now hosts the Chorégies d’Orange, a renowned summer opera festival. A complimentary audio guide enriches the experience, offering insightful details about the performances and the daily life in the Provencal city during Roman times.
