Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra
Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra in Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey
The Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra is located in Demre, in the southwest of Antalya Province, next to the ruins of the ancient city of Myra. This city was one of the notable centers of ancient Lycia, and today the theatre building and the Lycian rock-cut tombs form one of the most recognizable archaeological complexes in the area.
The theatre has been preserved in the Roman form it acquired after reconstruction in the 2nd century AD. The structure is one of the large theatres of Lycia: its seating rows are partly cut into the natural slope, and in front of them were the orchestra and the stage building. Even in its current condition, the proportions of the structure and the layout of the ancient space for performances and public gatherings are clearly visible.
For visitors, this is above all an opportunity to see several layers of history in one place: Lycian traditions of funerary architecture, the Roman construction system, and the results of modern archaeological work. On the site, you can examine stone decorative details, remains of the stage, and individual sarcophagi found in the territory of ancient Myra.
The theatre is interesting not only as a separate monument, but also as part of a broader route through Demre. It is usually visited together with the rock necropolis and the nearby Church of Saint Nicholas, so a trip here is especially suitable for those who want to better understand the ancient and early Christian history of this coast.
Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra on the map
Visiting the Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra and nearby monuments
A place where the connection between Roman architecture and Lycian tradition is visible.
Ancient stage at the foot of the Lycian rock tombs
On site, you can walk along the lower rows, view the circular orchestra, and climb higher to better see the shape of the cavea - the semicircular seating area. From the upper levels, there is the clearest view of the facades of the Lycian tombs cut into the rock above the theatre, so the complex is conveniently perceived as a whole rather than as two separate monuments.
The preserved elements help to imagine how the theatre was arranged in the Roman period. Passageways between the sections, supporting structures, and fragments of the stage area, where architectural decoration once stood, are visible here. Stone details found during excavations are sometimes displayed on the site, making it easier to understand the original design of the structure.
For a visit, it is usually enough to combine the theatre with a walk around the archaeological site of Myra. Nearby are the rock necropolis and the Church of Saint Nicholas in Demre, which can be reached in a few minutes by car. The most convenient way to get here is from the center of Demre by taxi, car, or local transport toward ancient Myra.
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