Aydın, near Çine, village of Araphisar

The modifications made in this two-tiered theatre in the years when gladiator fights were held are evident. Due to the fact that the high wall built at the edge of the orchestra for the security of the audience resulted in water accumulating in the cavea, subsequent makeshift solutions can be seen such as the use of the radial stairs as a water collection system for discharging water into the orchestra space. The vaulted passages providing access to the second level are functional. The cavea, which is greater than 180 degrees and rests on the slope, has an outer perimeter wall with carefully executed stonework. The theatre has undergone renovation a number of times and the final version displays features of the Roman era.

The theatre is on an incline of 30 degrees and the orchestra has a radius of 45 feet. Accordingly, the height of the stage building must have been approximately 59 feet and 4 inches. The cavea faces northwest. The left hand section of the stone covering of the first floor of the stage building has survived. This sample of first floor covering found in the most recent excavation of this section is of significance to other theatres. The stones covering the benches, particularly in the second level, have been lost.

There are 19 rows of benches in each level of the theatre. There are a total of 6 radial ways in the first level. Eight of a probable 11 radial stairways in the second level can be distinguished. There are lion’s claw decorations at the edge of the radial stairways.

Alabanda theatre has a capacity of approximately 6,200 people, based on site measurements.