Roman Theatre of Brescia, Roman theatre in Brescia, Italy

The Roman Theatre of Brescia is an ancient theatrical structure built into the slope of Cidneo Hill, in the heart of the city of Brescia, northern Italy. Parts of the tiered seating, marble fragments, and the foundations of the stage area have survived to this day.

The theatre was built in the Flavian period, linked to the neighbouring Capitolium by a portico, and remodelled under Septimius Severus in the 3rd century. A fire in the 4th century and an earthquake in the 5th destroyed the stage and the street wall, yet it stayed in use until 1173. It was brought to light together with the Capitolium in the 19th century, when later structures on the ruins were demolished except Palazzo Maggi Gambara.

The seating arrangement of the cavea, carved into the slope of Cidneo Hill, made social divisions visible to everyone present, with different rows reserved for different groups. Today visitors can still read these divisions in the shape of the surviving stone tiers.

The site sits in the center of Brescia, close to the Capitolium and the broader archaeological park, so it is easy to combine with other nearby ruins in a single walk. Wear comfortable shoes, as the surviving stone steps and ground surfaces can be uneven.

The theatre was rediscovered in the 19th century, when the Capitolium was also brought to light and buildings raised over the ruins were demolished. One was spared: Palazzo Maggi Gambara, which still occupies the western part of the cavea because of its frescoes. Inside it, floors and wall remains from the early years after the forum was abandoned are visible.