Théâtre romain
MonumentHidden Treasure
Théâtre romain, located in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), is a historic monument. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Location
- Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 43.6765, 4.6298
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00081189
A striking vestige of ancient Rome in the heart of Arles, this 1st-century BC theatre unfurls its stone tiers under the Provencal sky, revealing a constructional genius unrivalled in Gaul.
History
Standing in the heart of Arles like a fragment of Rome that has fallen into Provence, the ancient theatre is one of the most eloquent testimonies to the power and refinement of Roman civilisation in Gaul. Its two stage columns, majestically raised towards the azure sky, have become the emblematic image of the city and one of the most recognisable silhouettes of French archaeology. What makes this monument truly exceptional is the technical feat it represents. Unlike many ancient theatres built against a natural hillside, the cavea at Arles rests entirely on a sophisticated system of substructures: concentric galleries, radiating vaulted halls, a veritable labyrinth of stone that supports the tiers of seats without the slightest support from a rock face. This daring architecture is a testament to the exceptional skills of the Roman engineers of the Augustan era. A visit to the theatre offers a unique sensory experience. You can wander through the remains of two millennia of history, from the still-preserved underground galleries to the circular orchestra where the actors' voices once resounded. The acoustics of the site, even in its ruined state, remain remarkable, and it's easy to understand why the theatre still hosts open-air shows today, perpetuating its original vocation with a natural grace. The Provencal setting adds to the magic of the place: the golden light of late afternoon transfigures the ochre limestone of the surviving columns, while the vegetation that has taken over some of the terraces lends the whole a romantic, melancholy atmosphere worthy of Italy's finest ruins. In the immediate vicinity of the Arenas and Constantine's baths, the theatre is part of an archaeological trail that makes Arles a must-see destination for all lovers of antiquity.
Architecture
The ancient theatre of Arles belongs to the canonical type of Roman theatre, distinguished from the Greek model by its perfect semicircular cavea and its leaning - in this case entirely artificial - against a structure built from scratch. The cavea has a diameter of around 102 metres, putting it in the category of the Empire's great provincial theatres. The major originality of the building lies in its substructures: in the absence of a natural relief that could be exploited, the Roman architects designed a network of concentric galleries and barrel-vaulted rooms forming an artificial platform, a real feat of civil engineering that anticipates certain modern structural solutions. The two surviving Corinthian columns, around 14 metres high, belong to the stage wall (frons scaenae), which must originally have been a wall richly decorated with three levels of colonnades, niches for statues and polychrome marble - an opulent decoration of which excavations have uncovered numerous fragments. The orchestra, the marble-paved half-moon between the stage and the tiers of seats, housed the seats of honour reserved for the notables. The tiers, carved from local limestone, followed the perfect curve of the cavea, which was subdivided into several maeniana (seating areas) separated by horizontal walkways. Some of the vomitories - the vaulted corridors that allowed the public to move around quickly - are still visible, providing a striking insight into the logistical ingenuity of the Roman builders.
Related Figures
Auguste — empereur romain sous le règne duquel le théâtre fut conçu et édifié, dans le cadre du vaste programme de romanisation de la GauleJules César — fondateur de la colonie romaine d'Arelate en 46 av. J.-C., dont l'établissement rendit possible l'émergence de tels monumentsLouis XIV — bénéficiaire de la Vénus d'Arles découverte dans les fouilles du théâtre en 1651, offerte par la ville et placée à VersaillesProsper Mérimée — inspecteur général des Monuments Historiques qui contribua activement à la protection des antiquités arlesiennes au XIXe siècleAuguste Véran — architecte et archéologue du XIXe siècle qui supervisa les premières campagnes de dégagement systématique du théâtre
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Théâtre romain located?
Théâtre romain is located in Arles, Bouches-du-Rhône department, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, France.
Is Théâtre romain open to visitors?
Théâtre romain is currently closed to visitors.