Greek Theatre

Culture, Museum and historical sites
Viale Paradiso - 96100 Siracusa

    The Greek Theatre is the largest example of theater architecture of the Greek West. It has the peculiarity of being almost entirely carved in stone. In addition to the performances, as the ancient   Greeks used to do, the theater was used for popular assemblies.

    After being adapted in imperial times to the circus games, the theater was abandoned.
    The excavations, which began in the late eighteenth century and which continued throughout the following century, were completed only in the mid-twentieth century. On the genesis of the monument there are different opinions: notwithstanding it is generally agreed that the current shape dates back to the restoration of the years 238-215 BC., during the reign of Hiero II.

    The theater consists of three parts: koilon (or cavea), orchestra and the scene.

    Koilon: it has a semicircular shape and a diameter of more than 138 meters; the 67 rows are divided into nine sectors. A long corridor runs through the auditorium widthwise.

    Orchestra: it is the semicircular space at the foot of the cavea where the choirs were dancing.

    Scene: it is the vast area where the stage was, bounded on either side by two massive pillars.