Roman Theatre of Malaca
Roman Theatre of Malaca, Ancient Roman theatre in historic center, Málaga, Spain.
The Roman Theatre of Malaca sits beneath the Alcazaba in the historic centre and displays a semicircular structure with stone seating rows arranged in tiers. The remains show parts of the stage and orchestra area where audiences once gathered in large numbers.
The structure was built in the 1st century BC when the city was under Roman rule. After centuries of use, it was eventually abandoned and later its materials were reused during the Islamic period.
The theatre served as a gathering place where residents watched performances and socialised with their neighbours. It reflected the importance Romans placed on public entertainment as part of their way of life.
Access is via wooden walkways through the archaeological site, and a centre displays artifacts and explains the history. Visitors should wear comfortable footwear as the site has uneven surfaces and some descending paths.
The site was discovered by chance in 1951 during gardening work after lying hidden beneath the modern city for centuries. This find revealed how many ancient Roman structures lie buried under present-day Málaga.
Location: Málaga
Inception: 1 century BCE
Part of: Conjunto Alcazabilla
Address: C/ Alcazabilla, s/n, Distrito Centro, 29015 Málaga, Spain
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10:00-18:00; Sunday 10:00-16:00
Website: https://juntadeandalucia.es/cultura/enclaves/enclave-arqueologico-teatro-romano-de-malaga
GPS coordinates: 36.72119,-4.41687
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:00
Ancient Greek theaters demonstrate skilled architecture developed between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC. Built into hillsides, these structures utilized natural terrain to create stone seating and enhance acoustic performance. They served as venues for tragedies and comedies, as well as gathering spaces during religious festivals and panhellenic games. Most theaters are located in mainland Greece and on the islands, with notable examples such as Epidaurus in Argolis, renowned for its exceptional sound clarity, or the Theater of Dionysus in Athens, considered the cradle of Western theater where works by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides were performed. Additional sites are found across the eastern Mediterranean, including Miletus in present-day Turkey and Philippi in northern Greece. Some of these structures were modified during the Roman period, such as the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, which incorporated Roman architectural features while maintaining its function as a performance space. Many of these venues, which could seat between 5,000 and 18,000 spectators, remain important remnants of ancient Greek social and cultural life.
Between the Mediterranean and the Andalusian hills, Malaga blends southern warmth with a thousand-year history. Birthplace of Picasso, it combines Moorish fortresses, Renaissance churches, orange-scented alleys, and avant-garde museums. The Alcazaba overlooks the city from its Moorish walls, the Roman theater recalls its origins, and the Cathedral of the Incarnation connects the centuries. Along the port, the Pompidou Center, contemporary galleries, and subtropical gardens revitalize Andalusian modernity. The stroll is slow, between white light and warm shadows, from the Atarazanas market to the views of Gibralfaro. Malaga is no longer just a seaside stopover: it is a city to explore, to see, and to feel.
Alcazaba of Málaga
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Museo Picasso Málaga
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Museo de Málaga
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Iglesia de Santiago
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Palacio de la Aduana
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Convento de San Agustín, Málaga
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Palacio del Marqués de la Sonora
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Museo Revello de Toro
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Cine Albéniz
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Palacio de los Condes de Buenavista
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Conjunto histórico de Málaga
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Abadía de Santa Ana
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Casa de Correos y Telégrafos (Málaga)
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Palacio de Zea-Salvatierra
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Centro Ben Gabirol
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Palacio del Conde de Villalcázar
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El invierno
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Monument to Pedro de Mena
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Monument to the 50th Anniversary of Bodegas El Pimpi
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Monument to Andrés Llordén Simón
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Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes
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Monument to Solomon ibn Gabirol
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Monument to Juan Temboury
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Monument to Doctor Gálvez Ginachero
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Manuel Atienza García Gardens
57 m
Cathedral Gardens
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Patio de los Naranjos, Cathedral of Málaga
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Fuente de la Puerta de la Alcazaba
68 mReviews
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