The Roman Theater of Nicopolis is characterized by the unique blend of elements of Greek and Roman architecture. The theater’s cavea stretches both on the natural slope of the hill, according to Greek standards, as well as on stone-built infrastructure, according to the Roman retaining system. Three successive semi-circular vaulted galleries of increasing height from the inside to the outside were constructed to position the upper part of the cavea. The outside gallery was inaccessible, while the two internal ones were also used as walkways of visitors. Arounbd the cave from the outside – for the monument’s best protection – a tall curved wall was built, which was periodically reinforced with struts to resist the compression of the construction. At the ends and in the middle of that wall were three entrances to the cavea. In the upper part of the cavea, a perimetric gallery with openings and niches was formed.
The orchestra, like the hollow, had the shape of a regular semicircle. On the façade of the two-storey stage building there were three apse-shaped entrances.
Archaeological Site of Nikopolis – NSRF 2007-2013, O.P. Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship
Produced for the "Special Service for the Sector of Culture" and the Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports. The project "Actions of Information and publicity for cultural works" is co-financed by Greece and the European Union - European Regional Development Fund - O.P. "Technical Support for Implementation" - National Strategic Reference Framework 2007-2013.
The Theater of Nicopolis is located in “Proasteio” (Strabo), a holy pilgrimage area at the northern part of Nicopolis, outside the city’s Roman walls
Images - plans
Floor plans of the Roman Theater have been designed by traveler T. L. Donaldson. There is suffiient photographic documentation (33rd EPCA archives).
Documentation - Bibliography
Hobhouse J.C., A journey through Albania and other provinces of Turkey in Europe and Asia, to Constantinople, during the years 1809 and 1810, I – II, 2nd ed. London (1813)
Holland H., Travels in the Ionian Isles, Albania, Thessaly, Macedonia etc. during the years 1812 and 1813, London (1815)
Pouqueville F.C.H.L., Voyage de la Grece, I-II, Paris (1826)
Hughes T.S., Travels in Greece and Albania, I-II, 2nd ed., London (1830)
Leake W. M., Travels in northern Greece, I-IV, London (1835)
Filadelfeus Α., Nicopolis. Brief history and description of the excavations (1913-1927), the monuments and the ruins, with many images of the famed mosaics of the Basilica of Doumetio etc., Athens (1928)
Ministry of Religious Affairs & National Education, Directorate of Antiquities & Hisotrical Monuments, Damages of the antiquities from war and by the occupation forces, Athens (1946)
Sarikakis Th., The Aktia Games of Nicopolis, ΑΕ 1965 p. 145-162
Leake W.M., Η Ήπειρος 1805-1810. Fromt he diary of the English traveler William Leake, tranlated by G. Stathis, Athens (1976)
Andreou Ι., Prefecture of Preveza, Nicopolis. Retaining works, AD 37 (1982), Chronicles Β2, p. 266-267
Andreou Ι., Prefecture of Preveza, Nicopolis. Retaining works, AD 39, Chronicles Β2, σελ. 189
Andreou Ι., The work of the 12th Ephorate of Antiquities of Nicopolis, Nicopolis Α. Conference minutes (1987), p. 145-152
Vokotopoulos Ι., Excavations and retaining works in Nicopolis during 1967-1977, Nicopolis Α΄. Conference minutes (1987), p. 135-144
Isler H. P., Grecia: Smirtula, Nicopoli. Nicopolis, Epirus, in: P. Ciancio Rossetto & G. Pisani Sartorio (Eds.), Teatri Greci e Romani: alle origini del linguaggio rappresentato, 2 Roma (1994) pag. 294
Zachos Κ. & Georgiou Α., Prefecture of Preveza – Nicopolis: Research program “Cleopatra: Theater – Northern Necropolis – Western Gate Area, AD 52 (1997), Chronicles Β2, p. 579-592
Irmscher J., Nicopolis as described by foreign travelers in the years of Turkish occupation, Epirus Common 1 (2005), p. 33-58
Kontogiannis Th., The Theater of Nicopolis, Nicopolis Β΄. Conference minutes (2007), p. 361-370
Zachos Κ., Kalpakis D., Kappa Χ., Kyrkou Th., Nicopolis. Revealing the city of Augustus’s victory, Athens (2008)
Location
Nicopolis Settlement (Smyrtoula), City of Preveza, Prefecture of Preveza.
Dating
The theater was built in the early 1st century AD, along with other public buildings in the city. According to the scholars, in the 2nd century BC it probably underwent extensive repairs and reconstruction works.
General description of Monument
The Roman Theater of Nicopolis is characterized by the unique blend of elements of Greek and Roman architecture. The theater’s cavea stretches both on the natural slope of the hill, according to Greek standards, as well as on stone-built infrastructure, according to the Roman retaining system. Three successive semi-circular vaulted galleries of increasing height from the inside to the outside were constructed to position the upper part of the cavea. The outside gallery was inaccessible, while the two internal ones were also used as walkways of visitors. Arounbd the cave from the outside – for the monument’s best protection – a tall curved wall was built, which was periodically reinforced with struts to resist the compression of the construction. At the ends and in the middle of that wall were three entrances to the cavea. In the upper part of the cavea, a perimetric gallery with openings and niches was formed.
The orchestra, like the hollow, had the shape of a regular semicircle. On the façade of the two-storey stage building there were three apse-shaped entrances.
Current situation
Natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to the gradual deterioration of the monument. Strong cracks are observed on the wall outside the theater’s cavea as well as on the façade, for which immediate protection measures should be taken.
Excavations - Interventions
Up to now – except a small section on the theater’s stage in 1960, as well as small-scale retaining works in the superstructure of the monument that took place in the following decades by 12 th EPCA, the competent then authority for the Prefecture of Preveza – no such work has been carried out on a larger scale. Moreover, the fragmentary state of conservation of the cavea’s seats does not allow us to draw safe conclusions about their shape and number. In the near future, excavations, combined with extensive restoration work, will probably give us more insight into the monument itself and its period of use in general.
Permitted uses
His current state of preservation does not allow the direct use of the Roman Theater. In the future, excavations, combined with extensive restoration work, will probably improve the state of the monument. At this time, only simple visits are allowed, subject to conditions, while for musical events and theatrical performances the space in front of the monument could be used.
History of modern uses
For the time being, the existing state of preservation of the Roman theater allows only simple visits to the monument, subject to conditions.
Copyrights
Ministry of Culture & Tourism / 33rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities
Jurisdiction
Ministry of Culture & Tourism / 33rd Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities
Depositors of 100€ A. Doussias, D.Liaskos, G.Mitsios, N.Yiannoulis, St.Tsolakides
500.00
Christodoulos Zacharis
38.00
Diazoma Association
608.60
Total
€26.218.60
Expenditures
Expenditure
Date
Amount (€)
Ancient theatre of Nicopolis ΑΠΟΔΟΣΗ ΦΟΡΟΥ ΜΕΛΕΤΩΝ
23.100.00
ANCIENT THEATRE OF NICOPOLIS ΚΑΥΣΙΜΑ ΓΙΑ ΕΡΓΑΣΙΕΣ ΣΤΟΝ ΑΡΧΑΙΟΛΟΓΙΚΟ ΧΩΡΟ
200.00
Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis ΟΔΟΙΠΟΡΙΚΑ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΟΥ ΜΗΧΑΝΙΚΟΥ ΚΩΝ/ΝΟΥ ΠΑΠΑΝΤΩΝΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ
308.60
Total
€23.608.60
Balance
€2.610.00
Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis
On June 13, 2009, the president of the DIAZOMA Association, Mr Stavros Benos, visited the ancient theatre of Nicopolis as part of his tour of the ancient theatres of the prefectures of Preveza and Arta, where he met with all the local bodies about the enhancement and promotion of this theatre (see here).
The DIAZOMA Association opened a bank account (piggy bank) for the ancient theatre of Nicopolis (see here).
On November 25, 2011, at the instigation of DIAZOMA, a Cultural Development Planning Contract was signed between the Ministry of Culture and the Region of Epirus, through which the Region of Epirus allocated 100,000 euros to the Ministry of Culture and Sports. The object of the contract is to carry out the archaeological documentation works that will contribute to the extraction of data necessary for the study and implementation of the Nicopolis theatre restoration works (see here).
The project “Protection – maintenance and restoration of the great theatre of Nicopolis” was included in the Program “Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship 2007-2013” (NSRF), with a budget of 1,500,180 euros. The following excavation and fixing works were carried out: the necessary excavation sections that determined the conservation status of the monument and unveiled the four lower rows of the Koilon (seating area), as well as a multi-line inscription of metal letters inlaid in the floor of the orchestra; removal of dangerous fallen masonry; fixing – recovery – masonry joints, mainly of the skene building and the perimeter stoa at the top of the koilon; carrying out supporting – specialised studies, topographic and architectural mapping; concession of municipal land around the monument; installation of fencing and creation of a tour route around the monument with information signs, including signage for persons with disabilities (Braille). (See here)
On May 28, 2015, DIAZOMA, in the presence of the Deputy Regional Governor of the Regional Unit of Preveza, Mr Stratos Ioannou, commissioned the studies for the overall management and restoration of the monument with a donation of 150,000 euros from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. These studies covered: a) restoration, b) 3D imaging and depiction, c) construction site layout for the lifting, moving and retrofitting of masonry, d) structural design of the retaining walls and e) maintenance of the restoration materials used in the retaining walls – masonry mortars for domes). (See here)
These studies were completed and subsequently approved by the Central Archaeological Council in July 2016.
On December 15, 2016, by decision of the Regional Governor of Epirus, Mr Alexandros Kahrimanis, the project “Protection, maintenance and restoration of the Great Theatre of Nicopolis (Phase B)” was included in the PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Priority Axis of the EPIRUS Operational Programme, with a budget of 2,800,000 euros. The implementation of this project is part of the Ancient Theatres of Epirus Cultural Route programme proposed by DIAZOMA and implemented by all competent bodies. The works will be carried out according to the approved studies.
With an initial budget of 2,800,000 euros, the project consists of three subprojects:
the works for the protection, maintenance, and promotion of the monument, which are carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza.
the temporary wall reinforcement of the skene and paraskenion, which was implemented by the Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient Monuments, applying the approved study of Professor Kosmas Stylianidis of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and
the theatre’s western and eastern retaining walls restoration, which will be carried out by the Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient Monuments.
Finally, the full unearthing of the koilon was followed by a study for the restoration of the lower koilon, prepared by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza staff, headed by Mr Leonidas Leontaris. The study was approved by the Central Archaeological Council and increased both the physical scope of the works and the budget by 615,000 euros.
Today, the works continue unhindered under the leadership of archaeologist Mr Evangelos Pavlidis and the civil engineer Mr Panagiotis Krokidas, with the aim of opening a recognisable and functional theatre to the public. Cleaning works, highlighting masonry contours, and soil clearing are being carried out. The research focuses on the south of the skene building, where the retaining wall with struts found during the cleaning is being unearthed. Moreover, the Directorate for the Restoration of Ancient Monuments is pushing ahead with the restoration of the koilon retaining walls in the western covered parodos and the roof of the western vaulted entrance to the diazoma, a most demanding project. Finally, in front of the western retaining wall and the western parodos, a visitors’ route will be laid out.
On January 28, 2020, DIAZOMA, at the request of the Ministry of Culture and to meet the implementation needs of the “Ancient Theatres of Epirus Cultural Route” development programme, awarded five new contracts concerning the study, restoration and promotion of the Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis and specifically the western retaining wall and eastern paraskenion of the theatre.
These are the following studies:
-“Geotechnical survey and study for the restoration of the west retaining wall of the Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis” to EDAFOS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS S.A.
– “Supplementary studies (static and geotechnical) for the restoration to an upright position of a wall portion at the east paraskenion of the Great Theatre of Nicopolis” to civil engineer Mr Vasilis Kasimis and EDAFOS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS S.A.
-“Comprehensive static study for the restoration of the west retaining wall of the Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis” to civil engineer Mr Gerasimos Thomas.
– “Topographic backgrounds for the restoration of the west retaining wall of the Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis” to rural and surveying engineer Mr Panagiotis Tokmakides.
-“Tender documentation for the restoration of the west retaining wall and the restoration to an upright position of wall portion at the east paraskenion of the Great Theatre of Nicopolis” to architect-engineer Mr Evgenios Gialias.
The award of the contracts mentioned above is implemented within the framework of the cultural sponsorship of the Paul & Alexandra Canellopoulos Foundation, a corporate member of DIAZOMA.
These studies have been completed and delivered to the competent services of the Ministry of Culture for approval.
The implementation of the project “Protection, maintenance and restoration of the Great Theatre of Nicopolis (Phase B)” is in progress, with funding of 2,800,000 euros. In particular, the restoration of the theatre’s lower koilon is currently underway, according to the approved study. The study foresees the restoration of the first three rows of seats (where the original material is preserved) and two more rows (where new material will be added). The remaining 15 rows’ sub-base will be reinforced, rendering them usable. The restoration to an upright position of the wall portion at the east paraskenion of the Great Theatre of Nicopolis is also underway. A study for the restoration of the orchestra is being carried out by the Ephorate of Antiquities of Preveza. On the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the “Scientific Conference for the Great Theatre of Nicopolis” held on September 05, 2022, the monument reopened its gates and was presented to the public. At this conference, the new findings from work carried out in the theatre were presented. (CURRENT STATE)
Inclusion of the Nicopolis theatre restoration project in the NSRF 2021-2027 to continue the works. (NEXT STEP)
