The Roman Theatre in Lyon, also known as the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, is a major archaeological landmark and testament to Lyon's history as a significant center of the Roman Empire. Lyon, known as Lugdunum in Roman times, was the capital of the Three Gauls.
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The theatre was built in two stages: the first construction phase happened around 15 BC under the reign of Augustus, while it was later expanded in the 2nd century AD under the reign of Hadrian. This expansion increased the theatre's seating capacity to approximately 10,000 people.
The theatre is semi-circular in design, following the standard architectural model for Roman theatres, with an orchestra, a stage (pulpitum), and tiered seating (cavea). The orchestra is a semi-circle, where chorus and musicians performed. The cavea consisted of several tiers of seats, typically divided into different sections for different social classes.
One of the remarkable features of the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière is the 'niches' in the retaining wall of the cavea. It's believed that these were designed to amplify the acoustics, making it possible for spectators at the back to hear performances on stage.
Near the theatre, there's also the Odeon of Lyon, a smaller venue, which was likely used for more intimate performances, such as music and recitations. Both of these sites form part of the broader archaeological site of Fourvière, and together they offer a glimpse into the cultural life of Roman Lugdunum.
After centuries of disuse and abandonment, the theatre was rediscovered in the 20th century and has since undergone extensive restorations. Today, it's used for various cultural events, most notably the Nuits de Fourvière festival, an annual summer festival featuring music, theatre, and film. The theatre and the surrounding archaeological sites are also open to the public for exploration.
Conclusion
It is strongly advised to pay a visit to the Roman Theatre. The excellent condition it maintains, despite being over 2000 years old and continuing to be in active use, is truly remarkable.