Roman Theatre of Lecce, Roman theatre in historic center of Lecce, Italy
The Roman Theatre of Lecce is an ancient Roman structure located in the historic center with a horseshoe-shaped seating area. The venue was designed to accommodate approximately 5,000 spectators, making it an important gathering space for the city's population.
The theatre was constructed in the 1st century AD during the reign of Emperor Augustus, when the city was known as Lupiae. This period marked a time of regional importance and political influence for Lecce within the Roman world.
The theatre served as a gathering place where audiences watched comedies and tragedies performed on stage. People came to experience stories that moved them, making it a social center rather than just a building for entertainment.
The site is located in the city center and can be reached through nearby streets where the ruins are visible. Visitors should note that it is a partially excavated site, so not all areas are equally accessible to walk through.
The theatre lay hidden beneath the city's Baroque buildings for nearly two thousand years. In 1929, renovation work on a building unexpectedly uncovered the ancient stone seating rows and parts of the stage floor.
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