Roman theatre of Plovdiv Audio Guide
Explore Roman theatre of Plovdiv with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.
About the Tour
This well-preserved ancient Roman theatre is one of the world's most famous surviving examples of its kind, still actively used for performances today. Built in the 1st century AD under Emperor Domitian, it remains a central cultural landmark of the city.
What you will hear
The Cavea: Seating and Social Hierarchy
Focuses on the 28 rows of marble seats and the inscriptions that designated specific sections for city officials and magistrates.
The Reserved Seats
Many of these 2,000-year-old marble seats still feature Greek inscriptions identifying the specific districts and officials entitled to sit there.
The Orchestra and Modern Performance
The horseshoe-shaped floor is the acoustic heart of the theatre, still used today for events like the Opera Open festival.
The Modern Stage
Today, the ancient orchestra floor remains the center of Plovdiv’s culture, hosting international opera festivals and modern musical performances.
The Scaenae Frons: The Great Stage Wall
A detailed look at the three-story facade, a masterpiece of restoration that uses original Ionic and Corinthian columns.
The Statuary Niches
These empty niches once held a complex program of statues representing gods and emperors to showcase Roman power to the city’s residents.
Restored Pediments
Learn about the meticulous restoration process that used original ancient stones to rebuild the magnificent columns and pediments of the stage facade.
The Vaulted Subterranean Passages
Explores the underground corridors revealed by the 1970s landslide, which once served as backstage access and safety zones for gladiators.
The Gladiator Path
Discover how the theatre’s use evolved from classical drama to gladiatorial combat, requiring new safety features to protect the front-row spectators.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 14 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.