Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, Greek theatre in Epidaurus, Greece
The Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus is a Greek theatre from the 4th century BCE located within a sanctuary, designed to hold approximately 14,000 spectators. Its structure consists of 34 rows of limestone seats arranged in a semicircle and divided into two sections by a circulation corridor.
Architect Polykleitos the Younger built this theatre between 340 and 330 BCE within the sanctuary of Asclepius. The building was later expanded under Roman rule but gradually lost its original function as ancient religious practices declined.
The theatre hosts the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, where ancient dramas and contemporary works have been performed for decades during the summer months. Visitors can observe how the same stone rows that once held thousands still serve as seating for theatrical performances today.
The theatre sits on a hillside, offering better views of the entire structure from the upper rows while lower sections bring you closer to the stage area. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water, as climbing the rows can be tiring and shaded areas are limited.
The theatre's acoustics are so precisely engineered that a whisper from the stage reaches the back row clearly, even though it sits more than 60 meters away. This happens because the architect built specific mathematical proportions and angles into the design to carry sound naturally throughout the space.
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