The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis is a Roman theatre on the hillside at the upper edge of Plovdiv's Old Town, on ul. Tsar Ivaylo. Marble seats rise in a semicircle above an open-air stage, with the city below and the Rhodope Mountains in the distance. It is one of the best-preserved ancient theatres anywhere, and it is still a working venue for concerts, plays and festivals. Walk up through the seating, look out over the rooftops, and check the event calendar before you go, because a performance here is a different visit from a daytime walk-through.
How the theatre is built
The theatre uses the natural slope between Plovdiv's hills, so the seating rests on the hillside rather than on a freestanding frame. Its design draws on the Hellenistic theatres of the Aegean coast of Asia Minor. The plan is symmetrical along a north-south axis. Concentric rows of marble seats are divided by radial staircases, and all of them face an open-air stage.
One account counts 28 rows of marble seats, with a horseshoe-shaped orchestra between the seating and the stage. The acoustics are good enough that performances can be heard clearly from the seats.
Today you reach it easily from the upper edges of the Old Town, a few minutes on foot from the nearby church.
From Roman stage to buried ruin
In Roman times the theatre was used for plays and civic events. It also hosted sittings of the provincial assembly of the Thracians, and gladiatorial fights were held here as well. Philippopolis was one of the more important cities of the Roman province of Thrace, and the theatre was part of its public life.
The building suffered severe damage in the 5th century, when Attila the Hun is said to have attacked the city. Over the following centuries, houses and other buildings were put up on top of the ruins, and the theatre was forgotten. It came to light again after a landslide on the hill, and archaeologists then restored it, with reconstruction work carried out in the 1980s.
A theatre still in use
The stage is active again. The Plovdiv Opera and international guests perform here, and the Ancient Theatre Festival has staged plays on it. Concerts and other large open-air events are held in the same seating where Roman audiences once sat, with the whole city centre and the Rhodope Mountains behind the performers.
In summer the programme is fullest, so look at the event calendar when planning dates. A visit during a show means a ticket and a seat, and the wooden seats with cushions make a long evening easier than the marble rows.
Seeing it for less, or for free
Entry to the site is inexpensive, at about €2.50. If you only want a look, several lookouts along ul. Hemus give a free view of the theatre from above. Going inside lets you walk the rows, stand on the stage side and see the structure up close.
The entrance is wheelchair accessible and there is accessible parking. Once inside, remember that the seating stairs are steep. Families find the site easy: the semicircle and the seating are visible at once, so children grasp what the place was for without long explanations.
Häufige Fragen
Is there an entry fee for the Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis?
Yes, entry costs about €2.50. You can also see the theatre for free from several lookouts along ul. Hemus.
Is the theatre still used for performances?
Yes. It hosts concerts, plays and festivals, including performances by the Plovdiv Opera. Check the event schedule in advance and buy tickets early.
When is the best time to visit?
Late afternoon or sunset. The light is softer and the atmosphere is calmer than at midday.
What should I wear and bring?
Wear comfortable shoes, as the stairs are steep and have no railings. Bring cash, since you may need it for payment.
Is the Ancient Theatre good for children?
Yes. The open layout and the visible semicircle of seats are easy for children to understand. Hold younger children's hands on the stairs.
