Roman Odeon of Patras

Located in the upper city, a little lower than the hill of the medieval castle, the Roman Odeon of Patras is one of the city’s most important monuments.
The majestic building was erected in the first half of the 2nd century AD and is older but smaller than Athens’ Odeon of Herodes Atticus.
It features all the basic parts of the theater: nave (divided into two sections), orchestra (paved, separated by a semi-circular shield from the nave), proscenium (accessible by two brick staircases on the right and left), stage (its wall has a height of 8m and three arched doors), and backstage.
A devastating fire in the late 3rd century AD put it out of use, and an accidental excavation, when the rubble was needed to backfill the port, brought it to light again in 1889. In the late 1950s, the amphitheatre was restored and its lower part was re-marbled. Nowadays, with a capacity exceeding 2,000, the Odeon hosts summer concerts and theater performances.
Exhibits on its exterior include sarcophagi, mosaics and other finds from archaeological excavations in Patras.