Greek Theatre of Butrint, Ancient Greek theatre in Butrint, Albania
The Greek Theatre of Butrint is an ancient performance venue with stone seating tiers rising from a hillside, all facing a central stage area. Preserved stone foundations and column fragments mark where the original stage stood and indicate the theatre's original layout and scale.
The theatre was built during the Hellenistic period as the settlement of Butrint expanded and continued to be used after Roman occupation. Italian archaeologists uncovered it between 1928 and 1932, revealing carved inscriptions that preserve details of ancient life at the site.
The structure shows how the Greeks designed performance spaces with excellent sightlines and sound for all spectators. The steep seating tiers carved into the hillside meant that even distant viewers could see and hear everything clearly.
The theatre is part of the larger Butrint archaeological site and can be visited during regular opening hours. The location lies roughly 14 kilometers south of Sarandë and is best explored on foot once you pass through the main entrance.
Stone inscriptions carved into the seating record slave liberation ceremonies, offering rare insight into social practices of the ancient world. These records show the theatre served not only entertainment but also as a place where significant social events were formally documented.
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