Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre), Verona (must see)

Roman Theatre was built in the late 1st century BC, making it one of the oldest surviving monuments in the city. It is located at the foot of the San Pietro Hill, on the opposite bank of the Adige River from the historic center, in a position that offered excellent acoustics for ancient performances.

Over the centuries, the theatre fell into ruin and was gradually buried beneath houses and other structures. In 1834, Veronese antiquarian Andrea Monga purchased the buildings on the site and began clearing them away to reveal the ancient remains. Thanks to his efforts, the theatre was saved from permanent loss.

The City of Verona acquired the area in 1904, and archaeological work continued through much of the 20th century. Although large sections of the original theatre disappeared over time, important parts remain visible today, including the cavea, stone steps, sections of the stage, and several arched structures belonging to the ancient loggias.

Today, the Roman Theatre is an active cultural venue. Most notably, it hosts the annual Estate Teatrale Veronese, a summer festival featuring theatre, dance, and music performances, often including productions inspired by Shakespeare. The adjoining Archaeological Museum provides further insight into Verona’s Roman history and preserves artifacts discovered during excavation.

Tip:
Admission to the museum and theatre follows seasonal schedules, and free entry is available on the first Sunday of each month as part of Italy’s national museum initiative. One admission ticket gains access to both the Roman Theatre and the Archeology Museum right above it.