Denizli, Pamukkale

The theatre of Hierapolis, which has survived till this day, is one of the most beautiful of the Roman theatres. Due to the fact that the cavea leans on the hillside, it has been able to survive in good condition. Even though some parts of the roof of the stage edifice have collapsed, the main sections are intact and can be seen clearly. The theatre is two-tiered. There are 22 rows in the lower tier and 26 in the upper. The rows of the lower section are divided with eight radial stairways while the upper rows are divided with nine radial stairways. In most places, the radial stairs are made after the benches are put in place by carving the benches. The row ends are decorated with roughly worked lions’ claws where they meet the stairs. The horizontal central walkway is six feet and three inches wide. The support wall behind it is approximately seven feet high. The southwest facing theatre is on a gradient of 30 degrees. The radius of the orchestra is 36 feet and four inches. The Dionysus relief decorating the front section of the stage edifice is in the museum of the archaeological site. Some of the marble statues and ornamented doors belonging to the front section of the stage are intact and in situ. The section of marble seats for the governors is intact. The vaulted entrances that open onto the central walkway from both directions have survived until today. It is estimated that the final height of the stage edifice was approximately 49 feet.
 
The theatre has a seating capacity of approximately 9,700 people.