Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra

Located in the Lycia Region, near the modern village of Demre, the Greco-Roman Theatre of Myra was built into the steeply rising cliff southwest of the site's Acropolis. Built in accordance with the principles of Greek architecture, the Theatre was constructed circa 141 AD or later, most likely by the wealthy philanthropist Opramoas of Rhodiapolis, according to an inscription. The central part of the cavea is resting against the cliff, while the sides of the seating area are supported by a couple of concentric vaulted galleries, one of which has two-leveled. A diazoma divides the auditorium into a lower section of 29 rows and an upper section of only nine rows of seats. Fourteen flights of stairs divide the cavea into thirteen wedges. The Theatre was probably covered by a huge piece of cloth, maybe canvas, to protect the audience from the sun. The lower rows of seats housed some seats reserved for high ranking officials. A niche found in the back wall of the diazoma probably housed a statue of Tyche, the protecting goddess of the city. The stage building was heavily ornamented, the southern facade of which was decorated with theatrical masks.