Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis

A Roman theatre of the early second century, built under the emperor Trajan in the saddle between two hills of the old town. It held about six thousand spectators: twenty-eight rows of marble seats divided by a transverse passage, with the lower rows marked by inscriptions naming the city's quarters — seats were allotted by district. The stage building has survived together with its two-tier colonnade, frieze and statues, which is rare for Roman theatres. The theatre was discovered by chance in 1972 after a landslide; before that it had been completely buried, which is exactly why it came down in such condition. Restoration took more than ten years, and performances and concerts are held here once again — for up to three thousand spectators, with a view of the Rhodopes behind the stage. By day the site works as a museum, with paid admission. From the lower town you climb up to it by a stairway through a quarter of Revival houses.

On the map