Teatro Romano, Spoleto
The Teatro Romano (Roman Theater) in Spoleto dates from the 1st-century AD. It is remarkably well-preserved and has been completely restored. Today, it is used as a stage for cultural events during the annual Spoleto Festival.
The 1st-century AD Teatro Romano was the site of a gruesome episode in Spoleto's history. During the medieval struggle between Guelph (papal) and Ghibelline (imperial) factions for control of central and northern Italy, Spoleto took the side of the Holy Roman Emperor.
Woe to those who disagreed with this decision: 400 Guelph supporters were massacred in the theater, their bodies burned in an enormous pyre. In the end, however, the Guelphs were triumphant, and Spoleto was incorporated into the states of the Church in 1354.
The theater was partly destroyed and buried over the ages and all but forgotten until 1891, when local archaeologist Giuseppe Sordini began excavating. The ancient structure was extensively restored in the 1950s and is once again in use.
Today, the Teatro Romano serves as the most evocative stage for performances during the summer Spoleto arts festival. It retains some of the original spectators' benches as well as a remarkably intact vaulted passageway under the cavea behind the seats.
The Museo Archeologico is through a door in the west portico.
Quick Facts
| Location: | At the edge of Piazza della Libertà on Via Apollinare, Spoleto, Umbria, Italy |
| Phone: | 0743-223-277 |
| Hours: | Mon-Sat 8:30-7:30 |
| Cost: | 4€ |
