Odeon of Patras, Roman odeon in Patras, Greece

The Odeon of Patras is a Roman odeon whose cavea, 48 metres in diameter, rests on radiating walls and vaults rather than on a hillside. Three stairways lead from the vaulted galleries to the seating and to the semicircular orchestra, ten metres across, with a reconstructed marble floor. The eight-metre stage wall is pierced by three round arches and was once framed by columns and statues in eight niches.

The theater was built around 160 AD and lay hidden beneath soil and buildings for centuries. Excavations began in 1889 and brought the ancient structure back to light.

The theater hosts performances during the Patras International Festival, continuing its function as a center for musical and dramatic presentations.

The archaeological site is open daily except Tuesday, from 08:30 to 15:30. The odeon stands in the Upper City west of the Castle, between Palaion Patron Germanou, Sotiriadou and Pantokratoros streets and Agios Georgios Square, with its facade facing south. The stage and backstage areas were fully restored in 2025 and are meant to function as in antiquity.

The ancient geographer Pausanias described the theater in his writings and highlighted that its decorations were remarkable. Only the Odeum in Athens was described at that time as being even more ornate.