Syracusae Theatre Festival Preparations In 1914, the Istituto Nazionale del Dramma Antico (INDA) began the annual performance of Greek drama in the ancient theatre and the festival tradition continues today. Photo: T. Hines.
Cathedral of Syracuse (Duomo di Siracusa) Ortigia Island: Città Vecchia (Old City), Siyacuse, Sicily. Photo: T. Hines
Storm along coast of Isola di Ortigina, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy. Modern Siracusa (Ancient Syracusae), Sicily, Italy. Photo: T. Hines
Piazza del Duomo, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy. Modern Siracusa (Ancient Syracusae), Sicily, Italy. Photo: T. Hines
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily Cavea: width: 138.50 m; ima cavea: 27 rows in 9 cunei; summa cavea: 40 rows in 9 cunei. orchestra: 21.4 m. W; seating capacity: 15,000.
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily Site Map
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily View from upper cavea seating (summa cavea). Photo: T. Hines
Casetta dei mugnai (Millers' Cottage) Remains of 16th century mill at ancient theatre. Powered by theatre's Roman aqueduct. Photo: T. Hines.
Grotta del Ninfeo, above and behind the Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily From here water flowed into the hydraulic system of the theatre. Photo: T. Hines.
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily The theatre’s ima and summa cavea seatimg tiers (upper and lower) were divided in to 9 cunei (wedge-shaped seating sections). Eight stairways allow audience access to the upper rows of seating. The theatre could seat 15,000 spectators in 67 rows of seats.
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily The scene building at Syracusae no longer exists but the foundations remain. Note: 0.9 meter wide and 1.75 meter high passageway (probably from Hieron II’s time) was cut beneath the scene building and extended to the middle of the orchestra. Photo: T. Hines.
Ancient Syracusae Theatre, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy A terrace above and behind the theatre has been carved into the rock and is accessed by a central stairway and by a recessed path, “Via dei Sepolcri” (Street of Tombs). Photo: T. Hines.
Ancient Syracusae Theatre, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy Aulaeum (curtain) slots were cut into the stage as were holes for 12 posts that supported the curtain (in Roman theatre curtains were raised from below the stage). Photo: T. Hines.
Hellenistic Theatre of Ancient Syracusae, Sicily Two seating sections: the ima cavea (lower section) and the summa cavea (upper section). These two sections of seating are separated by a curved praecinctio (walkway). Photo: T. Hines.
Syracusae Theatre Festival Preparations The ancient Greek tragedies are performed at sunset, in Italian, without sound systems because of the quality of the theatre's acoustics. Each theatre season begins in May and ends in July. Photo: T. Hines.
Syracusae Theatre Festival Preparations Set piece and light source for 2004 festival performance. Photo: T. Hines, 2004.
Syracusae Theatre Festival The ancient Greek tragedies are performed at sunset, in Italian, without sound systems because of the quality of the theatre's acoustics. Each theatre season begins in May and ends in July. Photo: Franca Centaro.
