Roman theatre of Ankara, Roman theatre ruins in Ulus district, Turkey.
The Roman theatre of Ankara is an ancient structure in the historic core of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. It has a semicircular seating area carved into a slope, stone tiers for spectators, and vaulted passages that connected the different levels of the building.
The theatre was built in the second half of the 2nd century, when Ankara, then called Ancyra, was a key city in the Roman province of Galatia. Parts of it were later absorbed into the medieval fortress above, which changed and partly demolished the original structure.
The theatre sits in the old part of Ankara, close to the citadel, surrounded by narrow streets and stone houses. Visitors walking through this area notice how the ruins feel like a natural part of the neighbourhood rather than a separate monument.
The site is in the Ulus neighbourhood, within walking distance of the citadel, and the ground is uneven so sturdy footwear is helpful. Access inside the ruins is currently limited due to ongoing excavation work, but the structure is clearly visible from the surrounding area.
Excavations at the site uncovered fragments of a statue of Hermes, now kept at the Museum of Anatolian Civilisations. This suggests the theatre was also used for religious ceremonies, not only for performances.
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