Roman Theatre, Cádiz, Spain

The Roman theatre of Cádiz is an ancient structure discovered in 1980. The theatre, which was likely built during the 1st century BC and was one of the largest ever built in the Roman empire, was abandoned in the 4th century and, in the 13th century, a fortress was built on its ruins by order of King Alfonso X of Castile.

The theatre featured a cavea with a diameter of more than 120 meters, and could house some 10,000 spectators. The theatre was one of the few Roman structures of ancient Hispania mentioned by classical authors, including Cicero and Strabo. Excavations in the site have also found remains of a quarter dating to the taifa period, Almohad houses and 17th century pits.

References:

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User Reviews

SARAH BANCROFT (12 months ago)
Free entry, Nice friendly staff. Worth visiting the museum park first and watching the short film there before entering. It's just ruins now, but still worth a visit.

Nihal Acharya (13 months ago)
Being one of the oldest structures in Cadiz (1st century BC), this incredible theater is a must-visit spot in Cadiz. Located in asmall alleyway by the ocean, it houses a museum at the entrance and we'll preserved tunnels that lead up to the theater. There is no entry fee and one can walk around the theater at their convenience.

Viktor Kaposi (13 months ago)
The theatre itself is quite well preserved, the tunnel underneath was amazing. The attached exhibition is also very informative and well presented.

Tom (Bozz) (2 years ago)
The remains of a Roman theatre underneath some houses, makes for a unique viewing. The small museum is of interest. However, the view from the teatro of the modern buildings isn't great. It seems a lot of lime plaster was blown off the apartment building, onto the theatre and has been left. It is in dire need of a lick of a paint. I don't see why they couldn't paint a mural on the apartment wall, to be like the video of the theatre shown. Would be a bit involved, but better than what is on show.

David Crouchen (2 years ago)
Tucked away in a back street very close to the Cathedral. This is a hidden gem well worth a visit. Free entry.

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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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