Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre), Cadiz
The Roman Theatre of C谩diz鈥攁lso known as the Balbi Theatre鈥攊s proof that even in ancient times, C谩diz knew how to put on a show. Unearthed in 1980 after centuries of playing hide-and-seek beneath the medieval city, this 1st-century BC structure was built around 70 BC, back when the Roman Empire was still figuring out how to get the better of the Greeks.
The brains (and probably the ego) behind it? Lucius Cornelius Balbus the Elder, a C谩diz-born Roman politician, friend of Julius Caesar. Along with his nephew, Balbus the Younger, he had big dreams of expanding Gades鈥攖oday鈥檚 C谩diz鈥攊nto a gleaming Neapolis, or 鈥淣ew City.鈥� So far, we鈥檝e found their theatre and signs of an amphitheater, suggesting these guys were building more than just infrastructure鈥攖hey were building a vibe.
By the end of the 3rd century AD, though, the curtain had dropped. The theatre was abandoned, and over time it was scavenged for stone, turned into a stable, a storehouse, and even a medieval apartment complex. Eventually, the ruins became the foundation for a Moorish fort aptly called the Castle of the Theatre鈥攂ecause sometimes history just layers itself like a lasagna.
Even partially excavated, this site is considered one of the oldest and possibly the largest Roman theatres in Spain. It features a classic horseshoe-shaped auditorium with parabolic tiered seating and a vaulted distribution gallery hidden beneath. The outer wall, made from finely cut ashlar stone, it's as imposing as ever.
The modern Theatre Visitors' Center is your backstage pass to the past. Inside, you鈥檒l find detailed models and exhibits covering three acts: the Theatre of Neapolis, the Castle of the Theatre, and the original Theatre of Balbus. Spoiler: there鈥檚 no popcorn, but the ruins do all the storytelling you need.
The brains (and probably the ego) behind it? Lucius Cornelius Balbus the Elder, a C谩diz-born Roman politician, friend of Julius Caesar. Along with his nephew, Balbus the Younger, he had big dreams of expanding Gades鈥攖oday鈥檚 C谩diz鈥攊nto a gleaming Neapolis, or 鈥淣ew City.鈥� So far, we鈥檝e found their theatre and signs of an amphitheater, suggesting these guys were building more than just infrastructure鈥攖hey were building a vibe.
By the end of the 3rd century AD, though, the curtain had dropped. The theatre was abandoned, and over time it was scavenged for stone, turned into a stable, a storehouse, and even a medieval apartment complex. Eventually, the ruins became the foundation for a Moorish fort aptly called the Castle of the Theatre鈥攂ecause sometimes history just layers itself like a lasagna.
Even partially excavated, this site is considered one of the oldest and possibly the largest Roman theatres in Spain. It features a classic horseshoe-shaped auditorium with parabolic tiered seating and a vaulted distribution gallery hidden beneath. The outer wall, made from finely cut ashlar stone, it's as imposing as ever.
The modern Theatre Visitors' Center is your backstage pass to the past. Inside, you鈥檒l find detailed models and exhibits covering three acts: the Theatre of Neapolis, the Castle of the Theatre, and the original Theatre of Balbus. Spoiler: there鈥檚 no popcorn, but the ruins do all the storytelling you need.
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Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre) on Map
Sight Name: Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre)
Sight Location: Cadiz, Spain (See walking tours in Cadiz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Cadiz, Spain (See walking tours in Cadiz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Cadiz, Spain
Create Your Own Walk in Cadiz
Creating your own self-guided walk in Cadiz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cadiz's Plazas Walking Tour
Nicknamed 鈥渢he silver cup鈥� for the way its peninsula juts into the Atlantic, C谩diz sparkles as one of Spain鈥檚 oldest coastal gems. The Old Town is a maze of narrow streets, whitewashed fa莽ades, and balconies that seem to compete over who can grow the brightest gardens. Add in centuries of Moorish, Baroque, and Neoclassical influence, and you鈥檝e got a city that wears its history in layers... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Cadiz Introduction Walking Tour
C谩diz isn鈥檛 just old鈥攊t鈥檚 mythologically old. Some say Hercules himself founded the city after his tenth labor, fresh from slaying a three-headed monster and stealing a herd of red cattle. Others鈥攍ess into mythology, more into maritime records鈥攕ay it was the Phoenicians who rolled up in black ships around 1100 BC and named it Gadir, meaning 鈥渨alled stronghold.鈥� Either way, it鈥檚... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Cadiz's Old Fortifications Walking Tour
鈥淐谩diz is a silver cup, surrounded by walls and kissed by the sea.鈥� The saying isn鈥檛 just poetry鈥攊t鈥檚 urban planning. For over 3,000 years, this port city has been circling itself with stone, preparing for whoever might come sailing over the horizon. And given C谩diz鈥檚 enviable position and wealth, plenty of enemies did.
After Columbus launched voyages two and four from here,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles
After Columbus launched voyages two and four from here,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.3 Km or 2.7 Miles