Theatre of Dodona, Ancient Greek theatre in Dodona, Greece

The Theatre of Dodona is a semicircular Greek theatre built into the sanctuary of Dodona at the foot of Mount Tomaros in Epirus. Sources give a seating capacity of 18,000 to 20,000, the largest of its era. Its orchestra had a diameter of 18 m with an altar to Dionysus, and the two-level stage facade measured 31.2 by 9.1 m.

King Pyrrhus commissioned the theatre between 297 and 272 BCE, making it part of the sacred complex for Zeus and Dione. Later during Roman times, the front rows were removed and walls were added to transform it into an arena for animal spectacles.

The theatre was linked to the sanctuary of Zeus Dodonaios and functioned as a place for religious festivals and competitions. Performances were deeply intertwined with rituals that drew pilgrims from across the ancient world.

The theatre sits within the Dodona sanctuary at the foot of Mount Tomaros in the Pindus range, near the Greek-Albanian border; access is on foot through the archaeological site. A wall built in Roman times stands in front of the first rows, the barrier once raised to shield spectators from the beasts released into the arena. Parts of the seating and stage were restored in the 20th century after excavations resumed.

The site served not just as a performance venue but as the center of a famous oracle where priests predicted the future. Many pilgrims visited the site to seek guidance before performances were held.