Â鶹APP

Restored Amphitheater (Kourion, Cyprus) photo by Rüdiger Stehn –

Top 10 Intriguing Facts about Κourion Ancient Amphitheater 

An open-air arena used for entertainment, performances, and sports is known as an amphitheatre. The phrase means “place for looking” in ancient Greek.

Similar to a contemporary open-air stadium, the ancient Roman amphitheatre had an oval or circular floor plan with seating tiers that encircled the main performance space.

Ancient Greek and Roman theatres, on the other hand, were constructed in the shape of a semicircle, with tiers of seating rising on one side of the performance space.

In common usage, “amphitheatre” refers to any sloping-seat building, including stadiums, theatres with spectator seating on only one side, and theatres in the circular. They could be indoors or outside. A natural amphitheatre is also used to describe similar-shaped natural landforms.

Kourion was an important ancient Greek city-state on the southwestern coast of Cyprus. Kourion archaeological area lies within the British Overseas Territory of Akrotiri and Dhekelia and is managed by the Cyprus Department of Antiquity.

The area is famous for hosting many ancient structures one of them being Κourion Ancient Amphitheater. The Kourion Amphitheatre can be found in a sprawling archaeological site which is best explored over at least half a day.

It is home to countless treasures and cultural gems from antiquity. Here are the top 10 intriguing facts about the Kourion Ancient amphitheatre.

1. Κourion Ancient Amphitheater is located atop the Acropolis

The restored amphitheater at Kourion, Cyprus photo by Rüdiger Stehn –

Κourion Ancient Amphitheater is located atop the Acropolis and overlooking the azure blue sea. The design was built on a hill slope to use slope to partially sustain the weight of the seats of the theatre.

The seats are located so that the semicircular coverage exceeds 180 degrees and the audience could see not only what was happening on stage, but also panoramic views of the sea, which in turn intensified the effect of the spectacle.

 During its history, the theatre was modernized, rebuilt and reconstructed.

2. Κourion Ancient Amphitheater was founded in the 2nd Century BC

Located on the west coast of Cyprus, this world-shattering ancient city is a well-known archaeological site in Cyprus. The main attraction here is the ancient amphitheatre of Kourion, which can seat 2,000 people.

The theatre was built in the second century BC and rebuilt in the second century AD. At that time, it could accommodate more than 3,500 spectators. Large-scale concerts and operas are still performed here.

3. Κourion Ancient Amphitheater was found in archaeological excavations

Zypern Kourion Amphitheater photo by Rüdiger Stehn –

The Amphitheater in Kourion was built by the ancient Greeks in the 2nd century BC and was later rebuilt several times by the ancient Romans. This is one of the oldest arenas in the world, preserved until the present day.

As the old town of Kourion was abandoned in the Middle Ages, researchers discovered the amphitheatre relatively recently, only in the mid-20th century. The arena was found in archaeological excavations.

Archaeologists have discovered fragments of old villas and other ancient buildings in the immediate vicinity. The Theatre of Kourion was excavated by an Expedition of the Museum of the University of Pennsylvania in the period between 1935 and 1950.

4. Κourion Ancient Amphitheater was used for gladiator games

Gladiator games photo by Jean-Léon Gérôme-

Though built as a theatre, it’s thought that the location was also used for gladiator games at some point during its history. The mosaics of the Roman period have given their name to the structure in which they are covered around it.

Here, two Gladiators used to face up to each other, spoiling for a fight. The mosaics on the structure reflect the fact that Gladiatorial Games took place in Kourion in the 3rd Century AD.

5. It was constructed to hold around 25% of the kingdom’s population

The original seats in the amphitheatre would have seated closer to 3500 people This number gives a great indication of how large the Kingdom of Kourion once was.

It’s estimated that an amphitheatre was constructed to hold around 25% of the kingdom’s population.

6. Κourion Ancient Amphitheater overlooks the glittering Mediterranean Sea

Restored Amphitheater (Kourion, Cyprus) photo by Rüdiger Stehn – Wikimedia commons

The magnificent high-standing structure was built as an Impressive Greco-Roman Theatre by the Sea overlooking the glittering Mediterranean Sea.

7. It’s covered with galleries that prevent penetration from hot sun rays 

One of the most beautiful and interesting visiting amphitheatres is located in Kourion. It will amaze travellers with its majestic appearance, the beauty of the preserved antique mosaics and the magnificent panoramic view that opens from spectators’ seats.

The antique landmark is very popular with travellers. For them, part of the amphitheatre has been covered with galleries that prevent penetration of the rays of the hot sun.

8. Κourion Ancient Amphitheater was completed with a beautiful lighting system

After the last reconstruction, the theatre was completed with a beautiful lighting system. On its stage, interesting performances of the plays of Euripides, Sophocles and Aristophanes are staged.

All across the ancient site, information boards are on hand to help guide visitors through their visit.

9. It’s considered among the best of any external theatre in the world

The restored amphitheater at Kourion, Cyprus photo by Rüdiger Stehn –

The background of the amphitheatre is the blue sky, green mountains and the sea. The natural landscape and ancient and modern characters are intertwined on the same stage.

The views are amazing; one side overlooking the sea and the other the city. Tragedy and comedy interpret the vicissitudes of the world and historical customs.

Today the acoustics of the Kourion Amphitheatre are said to be among the best of any external theatre in the world.

10. It was used for open-air musical and theatrical performances

The theatre has been restored, renovated and repaired at several points during its two millennia of history (including in the 1st Century CE), the reconstructed theatre now seats 2000 and is now used for open-air musical and theatrical performances – mainly during the summer months – making it one of the most popular settings for high-calibre cultural events.