Roman Theatre of Aspendos, Roman theatre in Serik, Turkey.
The Roman Theatre of Aspendos is an ancient structure with a monumental stage building featuring columns and alcoves, set within seating arranged in forty-one rows for around twenty thousand people. The building remains largely intact, showcasing the classical Roman design with its distinctive multi-story facade.
Greek architect Zenon designed and built the theatre in 155 AD during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, using stone extracted from nearby quarries. The building has survived remarkably well since its construction, standing as evidence of Roman engineering skill from that era.
The structure hosts international opera and ballet performances each year as part of the Aspendos Festival, continuing a tradition that began in 1994. This annual event transforms the ancient space into a modern cultural venue while honoring its original purpose for public entertainment.
The site welcomes visitors year-round, allowing you to explore the seating rows and stage structure at your own pace. It is advisable to visit early in the morning to avoid the heat and to see the building in better light.
The theatre has remarkable acoustic properties that allow voices and sounds from the stage to carry clearly to the highest seating rows without modern amplification. This natural acoustic quality resulted from precise ancient engineering techniques.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
