Roman Theatre of Volterra, Roman theatre in Vallebuona, Italy.
The Roman Theatre of Volterra is an ancient performance venue built against a hillside near Porta Fiorentina, with limestone seating arranged in two sections. The remains include the orchestra area, the front of the stage, and sections of the spectator seating that once filled the slope.
The family of Caecina funded its construction at the end of the first century BC, with evidence preserved in a surviving inscription. It served as a performance venue for several centuries before being repurposed as public baths around the end of the third century AD.
The theatre served as a gathering place where people from different social backgrounds could come together to watch performances and celebrations. The seating arrangement reflected the social order of Roman society, with better positions reserved for those of higher status.
The site lies just outside the city walls and can be reached by following the path from Porta Fiorentina. Wear comfortable shoes since the ground is uneven, and bring sun protection as there is little shade in the area.
The excavation work in the 1950s was notable for involving patients from a local psychiatric hospital in uncovering the ruins. A plaque from 1952 honors their significant contribution to this archaeological effort.
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