Ce qu'en disent les visiteurs
The ancient amphitheatre of Mytilene, Is a lovely little spot very tranquil and I’d highly recommend if you were into ancient monuments go and have a look. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed
It is very ruined but there is a useful informational sign. 5E per adult. Plenty of shade to sit under and look at the theater. Open on first Wednesday in July at 11:00. Photo of sign with open hours attached to this review.
À propos
Le théâtre antique de Mytilène est l'un des monuments anciens les plus importants historiquement de Lesbos, taillé à flanc de colline au-dessus de la capitale de l'île. Construit à l'époque hellénistique, probablement au IIIe ou IIe siècle avant J.-C., il fut l'un des plus grands théâtres du monde grec antique, avec une capacité estimée à environ 10 000 spectateurs. Sa renommée dépassait largement les rives de la mer Égée — des sources antiques rapportent que le général romain Pompée fut tellement impressionné par sa conception et sa grandeur qu'il s'en inspira directement pour le théâtre de Pompée à Rome, achevé en 55 av. J.-C. et premier théâtre permanent en pierre du monde romain. Qu'un théâtre insulaire de province ait pu servir de modèle à un monument emblématique de la Rome impériale en dit long sur l'ambition culturelle et architecturale de l'antique Mytilène.
Aujourd'hui, le site offre aux visiteurs une fascinante superposition d'époques, visible dans les vestiges de pierre qui subsistent. La cavea, ou gradins, était taillée à même la pente naturelle de la colline, une technique caractéristique de l'architecture théâtrale grecque qui exploitait élégamment le paysage. Bien que la structure ait subi des siècles de spoliation — les pierres ayant été réutilisées pour des constructions ultérieures, byzantines et ottomanes — les travaux archéologiques en cours révèlent peu à peu l'ampleur et la sophistication de ce qui se dressait autrefois ici. La position élevée offre également une vue panoramique sur Mytilène et ses environs, donnant une idée de l'impression de domination que ce lieu devait susciter chez les spectateurs antiques.
Pour les visiteurs de Lesbos intéressés par l'Antiquité, le théâtre antique de Mytilène est une étape incontournable. Il est situé à proximité du centre-ville de Mytilène, ce qui permet de le combiner facilement avec une exploration plus large du riche patrimoine archéologique et byzantin de la capitale. En vous tenant parmi ses ruines, vous foulez un sol qui relie directement Lesbos aux plus grands projets culturels du monde méditerranéen antique.
Avant de partir
À quoi s'attendre
Le théâtre se dresse en hauteur sur le flanc de la colline dominant Mytilène, son gradin taillé à même la pente naturelle du terrain. En parcourant les vestiges de pierre, vous découvrez un panorama saisissant sur la ville et le détroit face aux côtes turques. Savoir que Pompée fut si impressionné par ce lieu qu'il s'en inspira directement pour bâtir le premier théâtre en pierre permanent de Rome confère à ces ruines une dimension inattendue.
Quand y aller
Le printemps (avril–mai) et l'automne (septembre–octobre) offrent les conditions les plus agréables pour ce site à ciel ouvert ; en été, l'ombre y est rare et la chaleur peut être intense.
Comment s'y rendre
Le théâtre se trouve à moins d'un kilomètre du centre de Mytilène, accessible à pied à travers le quartier d'Alyfada ou en voiture en quelques minutes depuis la ville.
Détails
Catégories
Photos
Visitor Reviews
Leda Valeva
August 2025
Today is Tuesday, 21th of August, 13:30, and the place is closed. We walked an hour to come here. There isn’t any plate saying it’s close today. So disappointed!
CreepyCat Caro (Miezessin)
August 2025
5€/person for just a theatre and some stones. Lesbos is our 5th greek island to visit and we NEVER had to pay to see an ancient theatre. Most small archeological places dont cost anything, but here you have to pay for every little stone. No thanks. Looking through the fence was enough.
Jill Briesch
July 2025
It is very ruined but there is a useful informational sign. 5E per adult. Plenty of shade to sit under and look at the theater. Open on first Wednesday in July at 11:00. Photo of sign with open hours attached to this review.
Peter Bermingham
June 2025
The ancient amphitheatre of Mytilene, Is a lovely little spot very tranquil and I’d highly recommend if you were into ancient monuments go and have a look. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed
Fulvio Nani
March 2025
I was there during opening hours but it was closed. so I climbed over and went to visit it. after 5 minutes a person arrives, saying he was a policeman, asking me why I climbed over... anyway it's not worth the price of the ticket of 3€
Joan Cartales
November 2024
We took a nice walk through a forested area on the edge of Mytilini to reach this monument. It was closed, unfortunately, but we could easily see through the fence and gate. It's not excavated, which leaves one to use one's imagination, which I like. It's a very peaceful setting with great views from the entry point of the castle and the sea. A lovely spot for some solitude and contemplation. Not as spectacular as some of the excavated theaters, but beautiful in its own way, to me. No other people around.
Seray Topçu Yılmaz
September 2024
Normally, I really enjoy the visit Ancient Theaters but there is no digging in this theater. It was closed and even though environment was quiet and piece there are lots of garbages. Please put a camera because there was even used condoms on the ground!
Aqua
December 2021
The awesome location reminds you of the glorious past and standing in the middle looking at the place that once hosted 18,000 spectators is mind blowing! However, the restoration didn't really proceed beyond putting stones ina row. The entrance of the road is turned into a garbage dumping zone which is really a pity for this historical landscape!
Y.H.
April 2020
The ancient theater of Mytilene stands on the east side of the hill of Agia Kyriaki, about 1 km west to the center of the city of Mytilene, amidst evergreen pine woods. The theatre was built in the early Hellenistic time and it was one of the largest in Greece at that period. It was built between 300 and 100 BC, and according to the archaeologists who investigated the site, the theater has been renewed by a Roman architect, named Pompey that copied its design from the theater he built in Rome in 55 BC, making it a model for Roman theaters. Unfortunately, although the site was a bit excavated, it still need a lot of work of excavation and restoration. The theater contained approximately 10,000 marble seats, of which you can still find some samples on the site. The site has been used for poetry and music events and theatrical performances years ago, and it is still being used from time to time for small-scale cultural events of the local community.
Richard Lawton
July 2019
I found this a lovely place, very tranquil (I was the only person there, despite it being in Mytilini). It has lots of history, but very little remains of the theatre itself. So there is no "wow factor" for a casual visitor, but anyone with a love of ancient history will appreciate it.
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