The Roman Theatre of Málaga

The Roman theatre of Malaga

The Roman theatre of Malaga is one of the most fascinating archaeological treasures of the town, an ancient theatre of the first century discovered by chance in 1951, at the foot of the Alcazaba. The Malaga audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this precious witness of the Roman past of the town, long buried then resurfaced under the successive constructions.

The first-century theatre resurfaced from the past

Discovered by chance in 1951, during construction works of the former House of Culture, the Roman theatre of Malaga is one of the most fascinating archaeological treasures of the town. Remained buried for centuries under the successive constructions, it resurfaced as a precious witness of the Roman past of the town, at a time when almost everything was unknown about ancient Malaca. Built in the first century of our era, under the reign of the emperor Augustus, it was used until the third century to host public spectacles, theatre plays and civic events. Its structure is typical of Roman architecture, with a cavea in semicircular tiers to host the spectators, leaning against the hill of the Alcazaba, a semicircular orchestra and a proscenium for the scenic performances. A remarkable fact, some stones of the theatre were reused, centuries later, in the construction of the neighbouring Moorish fortress, illustrating the long continuity of the history of Malaga, from the Roman town to the Muslim town. Today restored and enhanced, the theatre can be visited for free; an interpretation centre presents the objects found and tells the life of Roman Malaca. In summer, it again hosts performances, reconnecting with its first vocation after nearly two thousand years. An ancient theatre and a Roman memory, the Roman theatre of Malaga is a fine stop of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you discover the ancient theatre built in the first century under Augustus and used until the third, rediscovered by chance in 1951 at the foot of the Alcazaba after centuries of oblivion; you see there its cavea in semicircular tiers leaning against the hill, its orchestra and its proscenium, and an interpretation centre tells Roman Malaca. The Roman theatre is an archaeological treasure of Malaga. It is a fine stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Roman theatre lies at the foot of the hill of the Alcazaba, in the heart of Malaga, reachable on foot. It is generally visited for free and has an interpretation centre; the days and opening hours vary. It is best to enquire before coming.

When was the Roman theatre of Malaga built?

In the first century of our era, under the reign of the emperor Augustus, and used until the third century; remained buried for centuries, it was rediscovered by chance in 1951 at the foot of the Alcazaba, and you admire its cavea in semicircular tiers, the orchestra and the proscenium, witnesses of the Roman past of the town.

Where is the Roman theatre of Malaga?

At the foot of the hill of the Alcazaba, in the heart of Malaga, in Spain.