The Roman Theatre of Cádiz (Gades) was “rediscovered” in 1980 when some old foundry workshops were being demolished. Until then, it had remained hidden. Cádiz, due to lack of space, has always had a habit of building on top of previously constructed buildings.
Nowadays, modern buildings such as the municipal nursery that borders the theater, along with buildings that make up the Pópulo neighborhood, as well as the remaining ruins of the medieval city, prevent the excavation of the theater in its entirety.
Why not take a guided tour of Cádiz city that includes a visit to the Roman Theatre?
Some facts about the Roman theatre in Cádiz
- The Cádiz Theater is one of the largest theaters, with a cavea diameter of 118 meters and a capacity of around 10,000 spectators.
- It is the oldest theater among those known in the Iberian Peninsula.
- It is one of the few public buildings of Roman Hispania mentioned in works by figures such as Cicero or the Greek historian Strabo.
- Cicero himself commented that a play written by Balbo, the younger, founder of Neapolis, the new city, was performed in the theater of Gades, and that the actor who played it was so ugly and did so poorly that Balbo ordered him executed!
The Roman Theater Interpretation Center
This museum offers a complete view of the site and its historical context. The center is organized through a series of models, images, plans, archaeological material, and other elements throughout five rooms.
The exhibition tour concludes with the projection of an educational audiovisual for all types of audiences. Along with the summarized information about the theater, it offers a virtual recreation of the building as it was in its origins, as well as its functionality, its role within the Roman city, its creators, and ultimately, its importance in the context of a city that is over three thousand years old.
The Roman Theater Interpretation Center’s opening hours are:
- Winter (October 1st to March 31st): from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.
- Summer (April 1st to September 30th): from 11 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Closed: The first Monday of each month and 1st, 6th of January, 1st of May, 24th, 25th y 31st de December
Address C. Mesón, 11, 13, 11005 Cádiz
The official website in Spanish) is here.
Find out more about the museums in Cádiz city here: https://visitingcadiz.com/museums-in-cadiz/
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