Theatre of Clunia Sulpicia facts for kids
The Theatre of Clunia Sulpicia is an ancient Roman theatre located in northern Spain. It stands on a hill called Alto de Castro, near the modern villages of Coruña del Conde and Peñalba de Castro. This amazing theatre was built long ago in the city of Colonia Clunia Sulpicia.
Emperor Tiberius ordered its construction to make Clunia Sulpicia a grand city. It was one of the most important cities in the area. The theatre was carved right out of the rock. It could hold about 10,000 people! This made it one of the largest theatres in ancient Hispania (which is now Spain). People came here to watch plays from the classical period.
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History of the Clunia Theatre
The theatre was built when Emperor Tiberius was in charge. This was part of a big plan in the 1st century AD. The goal was to add important buildings to the city. These new structures helped Clunia become a major capital.
Later, in the 2nd century, the theatre was changed. It was made to be used like an amphitheater. This meant some parts of the seating area were removed. The stage and orchestra pit were also changed.
Archaeologists found something interesting near the stage. During digs in 2008 and 2009, they found thirty burials. These graves were from around the 5th century. Some of the people buried there showed signs of violence.
Features of the Roman Theatre
The theatre's seating area is called the cavea. It was built like Greek theatres. It used the natural slope of the hill. An upper walkway was added above the seats. There was also a two-story stage front. This front was decorated with fancy Corinthian columns.
The theatre is 102 meters wide. It could seat about 10,000 people. This made it one of the biggest theatres in Hispania. Experts have studied the remains found. They have been able to figure out how it looked. They also know how it was decorated.
Preserving the Ancient Theatre
The theatre is the best-preserved building in Clunia. Parts of its stage front are still standing today. An early plan of the theatre was drawn in the 18th century. This helped people understand its design.
The theatre was restored between 2004 and 2005. This restoration won an award. The judges praised how carefully the theatre was fixed. They also liked how the surrounding landscape was treated. Today, different cultural events are held at the site.
See also
In Spanish: Teatro romano de Clunia Sulpicia para niños
