Smyrna theater set to shine once more after 1,500 years

An ancient theater in the western province of İzmir's Smyrna, currently being restored through dedicated excavation efforts, has the potential to become Türkiye's own iconic Colosseum once fully uncovered.

Laying at the foot of the historic Kadifekale in the Konak district, one of the most dynamic areas of the province, the Smyrna Theater was built in the third century B.C. However, masses of soil engulfed the historical asset in time, approximately some 1,500 years ago.

Taking action to bring this timeless yet silent witness to İzmir's history to its feet, archaeologists have been working diligently since 2016 at the site, revealing more details of the ancient structure each day. In the process, they have unearthed around 21 stairs, a section of the stage and the L-shaped audience entrance of the decades-old theater with a seating capacity of 20,000.

Interwoven with İzmir's urban life due to its unique location at the heart of the city, the ancient theater stands out from its congeners.

Therefore, following the completion of the excavation works, the ancient theater — which was utilized for a variety of purposes, including gladiator bouts — will possess the capacity to accommodate contemporary cultural events in a vibrant region.

The head of the excavations, Professor Dr. Akın Ersoy from İzmir Katip Çelebi University's Department of Turkish-Islamic Archeology, noted that a team of 20 people has been working meticulously on the site to uncover the glamorous ancient structure this year.

He highlighted that the theater had three layers, clarifying that wood was used in the construction of its initial section, unveiling their plans to fully reveal this initial section in two years.

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