Hellenistic Theatre of Kas

Kas (Antiphellos) is today a small town located on the southern coast of Turkey, in the Lycia region. It lies at the foot of a small mountain range stretching from east to west, forming the wide Bay of Bucak Limani (Vathy). From the shoreline, the coast rises to an altitude of 450 meters. The small theatre, facing the shoreline and the sea beyond, is of the Greek-Hellenistic type. Having no stage-building neither vaulted substructures, this well-preserved theatre, showing fine ashlar masonry, was built in the 1st Century BC, with certain modifications and enlargements during the 3rd Century AD. Its auditorium is resting on a hillside with supporting Analemma walls flanking the Theatron. The horseshoe-shaped Theatron is still standing to its full height. Surrounded by a gallery, it contains 25 rows of seats divided into three wedges by four staircases. The Hellenistic Theatre of Kas had a seating capacity of 4000 spectators. The direction and location of the seating area offer an exquisite view of the shore and the Mediterranean Sea.