Epirus has 5 ancient theaters in unique archaeological sites, an unparalleled heritage both for Epirus and all of Greece. Their importance lies in the role that they played in their glorious past: together with the market, the theaters were a trademark in the city-state as they hosted religious and social events. Also, the Theater as an act stood as a core of life in antiquity.
There are ancient theaters in all 4 Regional Units, enabling the visitor to tour around the archeological sites all the while cherishing the wild diversity of landscapes so generously offered by Nature. The people of Epirus have recently created the Cultural Route to the Ancient Theaters of Epirus, a route of 344 km with the aim of approaching and promoting the cultural heritage in a holistic and fun manner, the center of attraction being – of course – the 5 ancient theaters. Let’s look at them!
In the marvellous ancient Nikopolis in Preveza, the “pride and joy” of Octavian, where the Hellenistic era meets the Roman aesthetics with high aesthetics, we find among the olive groves the Ancient Theater of Nikopolis, with a capacity of 2,000 spectators, built in 28 BC. We recommend you make your first stop here on your ride around the theaters. Gaze at the amazing Ionian Sea and the Amvrakikos Gulf from up there.
Making your way to the north and at a short distance from Nikopolis through a route next to olive groves and pine forests, the archeological site of Kassopi stuns us with its location, standing on the opposite of the stone complex of the Souliotisses in Zaloggo, while just like Nikopolis it has an amazing view of the Ionian Sea and the Amvrakikos, an indicative of the great strategic location in antiquity. The large Ancient Theater of Kassopi of 3,000 spectators is revealed to the visitor at the upper end of the archeological site.
Next stop on our route is Amvrakia, the capital of the Despotate of Arta, on the ruins of which the city of Arta is built today. Within the urban environment and next to the neighborhoods, the Ancient Theater of Amvrakia is preserved, the smallest ancient theater in Greece, dating to the 4th to 3rd century BC. The restoration works that took place in 2014 will enable you to have the complete experience, easily combined with your walk in Arta.
Only a quarter of an hour away from Ioannina in a forested area, Dodoni still stands today as the most famous ancient theater in Greece and one of the largest. This magnificent theater enabled as many as 15,000 spectators in the years of Augustus to gather and watch beast fights and gladiator duels. It is definitely one of the most enjoyable stops on your route as it easily combines a visit to Ioannina, next to Lake Pamvotida.
The final “destination” of our cultural tour includes one of the many treasures of Thesprotia, the Ancient Theater of Gitana, built in the 3rd century BC with a capacity of 4,000 seats. It served as a stage for events and social gatherings for the people of ancient Gitana, which was the capital city of Thesprotia in antiquity. Its seats have engraved inscriptions on the front side with the names of people. As for the location, this theater is a mere one and a half kilometers away from Kalamas, the longest river in Epirus!
