Skip menu

Sessa Aurunca Roman Theatre

Overview

The largest Roman public building discovered so far in Campania, the Roman Theatre of Sessa Aurunca, was brought to life and restored between 1999 and 2003. Built under the empire of Augusto in the 1st century AD and then renovated and enlarged in the 2nd century AD, under Antonino Pio, it is a living testimony to the power of Rome in Campania and Suessa in particular. Its masonry, with a height of no less than 20 metres, includes a cavea 110 metres in diameter, with three tiers of limestone tiers that could seat up to 10,000 spectators.
Another imposing structure is the one that supported the velarium, used to protect those present from the sun, and the great stage building, 40 metres long and originally 24 metres high, from which the 84 columns divided into three superimposed orders stand out. A true open-air museum, it is decorated with precious marble from various areas, such as the Greek islands, Numidia and Egypt. Numerous dedicatory and commemorative inscriptions can also be viewed, as well as fragments of sculptures that decorated the theatre and depicted people such as Traiano and Adriano, their wives Plotina and Sabina, Livia and Agrippina the elder. Matidia the elder, Sabina, Plotina and Matidia the younger are the sculptures from the sacellum in summa cavea. On either side of the scenic building was the porticus pone scaenam, with two basilica-like halls, one frescoed and with a nymphaeum, the other with a crypta and connected to the extra-urban road, near which is a sacellum with a fresco of the Genius loci. There is a latrine with a woven floor and marble-clad walls, built in the 3rd century BC.
Another important structure is the cryptoporticus, a building that was probably for public use and stood near the Forum, a short distance from the theatre, on the west terrace of the ancient city. It appears to date back to the Sillan or late Sillan age and is divided into three arms with two naves separated by rows of pillars and covered by barrel vaults. The walls retain a white stucco cladding with architectural features in relief, on which some interesting engravings with names of poets and Virgilian verses are engraved.
Close by, in the area of today's Porta Cappuccini, a vast extra-urban residential villa was recently discovered, possibly belonging to Matidia, equipped with pars rustica with torcularium for wine production, and pars urbana, with residential rooms. Built in opus incertum in the 2nd century BC, it was renovated in later periods.
The Roman Theatre of Sessa Aurunca is an example of great grandeur and historical importance, offering a remarkable variety of artefacts and discoveries.

Hours

Sunday
10:00 am-12:45 pm
04:00 pm-07:30 pm
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
03:00 pm-06:00 pm
Wednesday
Closed
Thursday
09:30 am-12:45 pm
Friday
Closed
Saturday
09:30 am-12:45 pm
03:30 pm-07:30 pm
Reviews
Reviews
()
Ordina per
Sessa Aurunca Roman Theatre
SP14, 6, 81037 Sessa Aurunca CE, Italia
Call +390823936455 Website

Related articles

Art and culture
Campania: postcard-perfect sea and dizzying flavours

Campania: postcard-perfect sea and dizzying flavours

Food and wine
history of the san marzano tomato campania

The Campania region by way of Gino Sorbillo’s pizza

Event
san-cono-piazza-destination

Saint Cono yearly celebration

Nature
Landscapes of Campania

Landscapes of Campania

Food and wine

In Campania, where food culture is a way of life

Spirituality
auletta-ruderi-tanagro-destination

The Feast of San Donato from Auletta

Art and culture
Naples, an enchanting city of sea and culture

Naples, an enchanting city of sea and culture

UNESCO
614626686

The Amalfi Coast: a hypnotic view of the cobalt blue sea

UNESCO
Cilento, between unspoilt beaches, wild nature and charming hamlets

Cilento, between unspoilt beaches, wild nature and charming hamlets

Art and culture
The Catacombs of Naples

The Catacombs of Naples

UNESCO
941237456

Discovering the archaeological area of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata

Cultural cities
Procida: an island of culture

Procida: an island of culture

Art and culture
Procida

Procida: the enchanted island of watercolour houses and turquoise sea

Art and culture
At the Queen Giovanna Baths for a dip in a corner of paradise

At the Queen Giovanna Baths for a dip in a corner of paradise

Food and wine
lo street food a napoli hero

Street food in Naples is the quintessence of wonders for the palate

Food and wine
green agritourisms  in campania

7 green agritourisms in Campania for the perfect combination of eco-sustainability and food

Art and culture
palace of caserta seen from above

Naples-Caserta, travel like a king

Spirituality
In Naples for the Feast of San Gennaro: between tradition and spirituality

In Naples for the Feast of San Gennaro: between tradition and spirituality

Food and wine
544750602

Pizza

Leisure
Anton Dohrns’ Zoological Station, aquarium of our seas

Anton Dohrns’ Zoological Station, aquarium of our seas

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.