Lycabettus Theatre, Open-air amphitheater on Mount Lycabettus, Greece
Lycabettus Theatre is an open-air venue built on Mount Lycabettus within a former quarry area, designed with a steel structure that seats around 6000 people on the hillside. The construction follows the natural slope of the mountain to create an amphitheater-like arrangement for spectators.
Greek actress Anna Synodinou began construction in 1964, and the venue opened in 1965 with a performance of Sophocles' Antigone. After decades of operation, the site underwent extensive restoration and reopened to audiences in 2023.
The venue has long served as a gathering place where Athenians experience live performances from Greek and world artists in an open-air setting. It remains central to the city's cultural life, shaped by decades of performances that reflect both local and international artistic traditions.
The venue is accessible by funicular railway from Aristippou Street in Kolonaki, making it easy to reach the hilltop location. It's wise to arrive early for performances to secure good seating and take in the views from the surrounding mountain area.
The theatre was built within a former stone quarry, meaning the natural landscape was repurposed for the venue rather than demolished. This transformation of an abandoned extraction site into a cultural space reflects an inventive approach to urban design.
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