Roman Theatre Museum

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Lisboa > Lisboa > Lisboa > Sé

Location:

The Museum and the Roman Theatre ruins are located in the heart of Lisbon's historic district, nestled on the southern slope of the hill where São Jorge Castle stands. This location, in the area that was formerly the parish of Sé and today belongs to Santa Maria Maior, places the site in an environment of traditional alleyways and old buildings, very characteristic of the oldest part of the city.

Situated on Rua Augusto Rosa, next to Pátio do Aljube, the site is integrated into the urban fabric, with its vestiges visible from the street and the museum housed in a historic building that is part of the local landscape.

History Underfoot:

This site reveals an important chapter in Lisbon's history, dating back to the period when the city was part of the Roman Empire. The theatre was built in the 1st century AD, still under Emperor Augustus, and underwent significant reconstruction during the time of Emperor Nero.

Over the centuries, the theatre was eventually abandoned around the 4th century AD. It remained buried for over a thousand years, hidden beneath the constructions that rose in the area, until it was rediscovered by chance in 1798, following the city's reconstruction after the great earthquake of 1755.

Discovered Remains:

Archaeological excavations carried out on the site since 1967 have brought to light significant parts of the ancient Roman theatre's structure. The works revealed a portion of the seating tiers where the audience sat to watch performances, the orchestra area, and elements of the proscenium and stage.

In addition to the architectural structures, the archaeological campaigns allowed for the recovery of a considerable number of decorative elements that adorned the theatre. These findings help to understand the grandeur and the type of art that embellished this entertainment space in ancient Olisipo (Roman Lisbon).

The Museum Space:

The Roman Theatre Museum functions as an interpretation center for this important archaeological site. It is housed in a 17th-century building, believed to be in the area where one of the ancient entrances to the Roman theatre would have been.

Inside the museum, visitors can find information that contextualizes the discovery of the ruins and the history of Lisbon's Roman theatre. The space allows for a close-up view of some of the artifacts and architectural elements found during the excavations, complementing the experience of observing the visible ruins outside.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt