Ancient Theatre of Plovdiv

The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis is exceptionally well preserved and is one of Plovdiv's most impressive architectural monuments. Situated between Dzhambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe, it was built during the reign of the Roman emperor Marcus Ulpius Trajan, around the second century AD.

The theatre faces south, offering a spectacular view of the ancient town and the Rhodope Mountains. With 28 concentric rows of marble seats and an outer diameter of 82 metres, it accommodates around 3,500 spectators. The upper rows of seating are divided by passageways and crossed by narrow radial staircases.

The stage building, or skene, is three storeys high and decorated with an Ionic colonnade and triangular pediments. The entrances to the orchestra, the parodoi, are connected to the stage building and underground corridors. The theatre also has a box for dignitaries and an underground passage connecting it with the Three Hills area.

The name "Amphitheatre" is often mistakenly applied to the ancient theatre. In fact, "amphitheatre" refers to a different type of ancient building, rather than a theatre. The Theatre of Philippopolis is unique in the Bulgarian context and is an important archaeological and cultural site.