Syracuse' s Greek Theatre
The Greek theatre in Syracuse is actually a monument: it has fulfilled its function for 2000 years and now it still hosts classical dramas. It is the greatest ancient theatre on Sicily and one of the greatest in the world.
The theatre was carved out of the rock and then mutilated by the Spanish, who luckily safeguarded the ancient structure made up of cavea (audience space), orchestra (dancing place) and sceane (theatre stage).
The cavea measures 138m in diameter, it has four steps and it is divided into nine sectors. Below there are the semi-circular orchestra, where the chorus danced (from Greek archeomai) and the Scale Carontee, entrances used for amazing apparitions.
Although the
scaene is almost completely destroyed, it retains its grandeur with its wide base. In the upper part of the theatre there is a rock-cut terrace, where probably the audience stood protected by a kind of awning from the rain, and the grotto of Ninfeo, where a river flows and the actors await their entrance turn.
View Villas in Sicily - The Southeast area >>
View Boutique hotels in Sicily - The Southeast area >>
<< back to soloGuide to Sicily home
