ANCIENT WONDERS

 

 The Ancient Theater of Philippopolis - one of the ancient wonders!

Do you plan your next journey already? And if you really are here is a memorable place to visit. 

The Ancient Theater of Phipippopolis, located in Plovdiv, Bulgaria is one of the best preserved ancient theaters in the world. It stands in the reserve Old Town of Plovdiv on the southern slope between two of the three hills, on which is the reserve. Inscription frieze archive indicates that it was built at the time of Emperor Mark Ulpii Trayan (98-117) in the early 2^nd century. The latest data shows it has been built between 1^st century and the early 2^nd century when the ancient Philippopolis - called "The Mother of cities" - was one of the biggest metropolis in the eastern provinces of Roman Empire. The ruins have been discovered during archaeological finds in the 60`s and 70`s of the last century. The Ancient Theater was restored in its present form and was stored as the major tourist attraction of the city and cultural monument by UNESCO. It impresses with its architecture built entirely of marble, representing half-round as the outer diameter is 82 m... bringing us back in the time of spectacles with animal fights and gladiatorial combats... Visual space outdoors includes 28 rows – cavea of which are reserved only 20 rows and is divided by trail called diazoma into two ranks which are intersected by narrow radial stairs thus forming trapezoidal sectors - cercidas. The scene - orchestra has a horseshoe shape with diameter 26,64m. and is surrounded by visual areas. In the southern part is the skene – three-floor stage construction. The very scenic site is high 3,16 m. The facade is decorated lonic colonade of marble, crowned by triangular photon. The facade of the skene is two protico on two floors – first in Roman Ionic, and the second – Roman Corintian order. Three symmetrical doors cut out through it. Doorways are arched at a later stage and associate with the stage construction the cavea.
Underground passage through which the artists go to hit the stage, has a vaulted corridor and starts from the center of the orchestra, passes through stage construction and goes beyond the building. Second vaulted corridor passes under the central sector of the highest rank and links the cavea of the theater with the three hills. It is built lodge an honorary personas. These places are signed like all Roman theaters of the Rome Empire. The capacity of the theater is more than 3500 spectators. Visual areas are oriented to the south to the ancient city in the valley and the Rhodope Mountains, which makes it possible to observe the amazing view and sunsets. As one of the emblems of the city it is functioning scene for classical drama, dance and music. It is used today for concerts and many more public events.

Landmark worth visiting – The Ancient Theater of Philippopolis – stuns with its magnificent beauty!