Roman Amphitheatre, Turin, Italy

The excavations of the Roman Theater in Turin can only be viewed during a visit to the Museum of Antiquities. The ruins are what is left of the ancient Roman city of Augusta Taurinorum. In its heyday, the theater could accommodate around 3,000 spectators. Nowadays, it is located below the Royal Palace, of which it occupies part of the cellars.

Construction of the Roman Theater of Turin started in 13 BC. Initially, the entire complex (stage, seats and surrounding fence) was made of wood. Between 40 and 50 AD, a stone portico was added, and by the end of the century the entire structure was made of stone.

With the arrival of Christianity came a ban on theatrical performances and the complex was abandoned. At the end of the 4th century, it was replaced by a Cathedral.

In 1899, when a new wing was added to the Royal Palace, some ancient walls of the by then completely forgotten theater were discovered. It was decided to change the project, so as to be able to preserve the ruins of the monument.

The first period of restoration finished in 1911. Between 1960 and 1962 more excavations took place. From these, it became clear that there had been two pahases of construction. The extensive excavations led to a further restoration of aisles, porticoes and walls.

Besides the ruins of the complex itself, the archaeologists also found an ancient road, that separated the theater from the surrounding houses. Part of the excavations stretches to almost the present Cathedral. From there it is also possible to view parts of the ancient structure.

The semi-circular theater consisted of four sectors, separated by staircases. Its diameter was 70 meters. The stage itself was 44 meters long and 6 meters deep.

References:

renatoprosciutto.com

User Reviews

a c (9 months ago)
You can admire these Roman remains by visiting the royal palace. It is close to the Porta Palatina (the main Roman archaeological evidence of Turin). The theater represents one of the smallest theaters of its kind.

Damjan Sano (2 years ago)
Nicely preserved

Giornale Sentire (2 years ago)
The archaeological area of the Theater of Augusta Taurinorum, which together with the Porta Palatina is the most important Roman monument preserved in Turin. The Roman Theater was the hub of Augusta Taurinorum's social life. Returned to light only in 1899 during the works for the extension of the Manica Lunga of the Royal Palace, the Roman Theater occupied an entire block close to the northeastern corner of the walls. Demolished in the late imperial age to obtain construction material for nearby buildings and buried from its own rubble, in the last 120 years it has been the subject of archaeological excavations, works and research by the Superintendency, which have provided important data on ancient Turin. The remains of the semicircular cavea, the backstage portico and the walls were affected by a series of maintenance, restoration and scenographic works that made it possible to recover the original spatiality and legibility of the architecture of the ancient monument. And in the future it can be used for shows and cultural events!

Georges Younes (3 years ago)
You can get to the Area Archeologica del Teatro Romano (archeological area of the Roman Theater) during your visit of the Turin Royal Palace. You can also easily miss it so, if you are a fan of Roman ruins, make sure to ask for it.

Robert Patruna (4 years ago)
Nice area in the front of Galeria Sabauda.

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