Rich History of Roman Theatre, Fethiye
Fethiye Roman theatre stands in close proximity to the main road that goes along the Fethiye Harbour. The semi-circular-shaped theatre had been built on a hillside. Occasionally referred to as the amphitheater, Roman Theatre was built in Classic Greek style. The origin of the theatre dates back to the 2nd Century BC after the town became a part of the Roman Asia minor dominion. The theatre ground could hold 5-6 thousand spectators at a time. In the Roman Period, around the 2nd Century AD, a new stage building was built. The theatre was in function till the 7th Century. Back in ancient times, the theatre had sealed the Roman authority in the middle-east. When the Romans won over Turkey, the Roman authority allowed a free-minded Lycians rule. The Roman rulers also left their mark in the Lycian cities. The theatre used to be a renowned destination in Turkey. The top tier of the theatre offers a beautiful view of the entire town and the vast sight of the sea beyond. At present, the theatre is in ruins.
The Roman Theatre was excavated by the Archaeology Museum in 1993. The archaeologists restored the cave and the stage. The seating capacity of 6000 spectators of the amphitheater symbolizes the supreme Roman power that had its rule over Turkey. The tourists can see the stairs and walls surrounding the theatre ground.
The Unfortunate Destruction of Roman Theatre
An earthquake destroyed the Roman Theatre in 1957. After the severe damage, residents removed the pieces of the marvelous architecture to use for rebuilding purposes. In the 1990s, after the archaeologists excavated the site, the historic ground remained in a poor condition. The theatre has suffered from negligence for years. Currently, the theatre is under a serious
restoration process. After the restoration process will be over, the theatre ground will happen to conduct open-air performances, just like the ancient times. Tourists go to witness the remnants of the ancient Roman amphitheater. Right now, the visitors are not allowed to see the theatre due to the ongoing restoration process. You can view the site from the main road. You can have a complete view of the theatre ground by roaming around the perimeter.
A Few Important Details about Roman Theatre
- Location: Fethiye (along the Fethiye Harbour)
- Opening Timing: 24 hours
- Preferable Visiting Time: Till 4:00 PM
- More Crowded Days: Mon, Wed, and Sat
- Time Duration: 30 Minutes to 1 Hour
The Roman theatre is one of the most significant itinerary tourist destinations to visit in Fethiye. A visit to the Roman Theatre takes the tourists back to the bygone era with its architectural remnants and ancient vibes.The site draws the attention of history enthusiasts and archaeologists
the most. There is a beautiful park located opposite the theatre ground. The park is a relaxing ground for the tourists during the break.
The Nearby Tourists Destinations
After a visit to the Roman Theatre, if you feel to explore the nearby destinations located in corners of Fethiye, you may pay a visit to the following places,
Fethiye Museum
Give a visit to the Fethiye Museum and learn more about Lycian history. You will get a clearer idea about the history of Roman Theatre. You will see a beautiful collection of pottery, jewelry, and other artifacts of the contemporary era.
Pinara
You will see the ruins of Pinara town at the southeast of Fethiye, rich with rock tombs and monolithic house tombs. The Lycian site is lesser crowded than the other tourist places in Fethiye.
Letoön
The tourists can visit the UNESCO-protected ruin of Letoön – a temple ground with three temples dedicated to Leto and her twin children Apollo and Artemis.
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