Plovdiv Roman Theatre
★ 4.7🇧🇬 PlovdivSuggested visit 1-2 hoursBest season May to September, the open-air performance season
Historic siteArchaeological siteArchitecture
A Roman theatre built into the hillside in the 2nd century and still staging performances, looking over Plovdiv's old town.
Overview
Built in the 2nd century under Trajan and set in a semicircle against the hillside, the theatre originally seated about 7,000; some twenty rows of seating and part of the stage building survive. Rediscovered during landslide clearance in the 1970s and restored, it still hosts opera and concerts in summer and looks over the old town and the Thracian plain.
History
Built in the 2nd century, abandoned after fire and earthquake in the 4th, it was excavated, restored and reopened in the 1970s.
Highlights
- •The semicircular Roman seating
- •Stage reliefs and colonnade
- •Views over the old town and plain
- •Open-air performances in summer
Practical tips
- •Evening gives the best light and cooler air
- •The old town is cobbled — wear flat shoes
Practical information
- Best time
- May-September
- Tickets
- About BGN 10 for adults
- Opening hours
- 9:00-18:00
- Local food
- Bulgarian yoghurt, grilled meat, banitsa
- Getting around
- In Plovdiv's old town, walkable from the centre; about two hours by bus from Sofia.
- Visa
- A Schengen visa is required (Bulgaria is now in the Schengen area); apply about a month in advance.
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