Roman Theatre, Aosta, Italy

The Roman Theatre in Aosta was built in the late reign of Augustus, some decades after the foundation of the city (25 BC), as testified by the presence of pre-existing structures in the area. There was also an amphitheatre, built during the reign of Claudius, located nearby.

The theatre occupies three blocks annexed to the ancient city walls, along the Roman main road (the decumanus maximus, next to the Porta Praetoria. The structure occupied an area of 81 x 64 m, and could contain up to 3,500/4,000 spectators.

What remains today include the southern façade, standing at 22 m. The cavea was enclosed in a rectangular-shaped wall including the remaining southern part. This was reinforced by buttresses each 5.5 m from the other, and included by four orders of arcades which lightened its structure. It has been supposed that the theatre once had an upper cover, in the same way of the Theatre of Pompey in Rome.

The orchestra had a diameter of 10 m. The scene, of which only the foundations remain, was decorated by Corinthian columns and statues, and was covered with marble slabs.

A marketplace surrounded by storehouses on three sides with a temple in the centre with two on the open (south) side, as well as a thermae, also have been discovered.

Since 2011, the theatre is used for music shows and theatrical performs.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Tibor Ramirez (2 years ago)
You get to see some part of history with an excellent background. Wish there was more to read and understand.. bonus, you get to visit 5 more historic sites in town with the same ticket!

Joanne Cook (2 years ago)
Free for under 18s and only €8 per adult, the ticket gave us access not only to the theatre, but 4 other historical sites in Aosta. All within 15 mins walk and also by the main shopping/eating area. Lovely

Riccardo Testoni (2 years ago)
Stunning archeological site, well preserved and maintained, the ticket to enter is cheap and gives access to other archeological sites nearby that are definately worth visiting. A must do when visiting Aosta. This site is all in the open so bring an umbrella or sunscreen depending on the weather.

Daniel Fg (2 years ago)
The ruins are remarkable for the grandeur of the building and the stunning natural backdrop of the snow-capped Alps. Admission costs €8. (April 2023) and the same ticket is valid for two other archaeological sites in Aosta (the paleochistian church of San Lorenzo and the forum cryptopoticus) plus the archaeological museum.

Jarrod Hunt (3 years ago)
Great to visit this seasoned piece of Roman history. Looks lovely covered in snow, and even though some of it was closed to the public it was still a nice walk

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Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.

Roman Theatre

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