The Most Precious Of Side Ancient City If you were to ask which is the most precious jewel among the treasures of the ancient city of Side, our answer would be the ancient theater in the center. Its unique architecture makes it the only example in Anatolia. Hellenistic Tradition Meets With Roman Architecture Antalya Side Theatre is situated in the narrowest part of the peninsula where the city is located. The building has a semicircular plan in the Hellenistic tradition, but features Roman construction techniques. The theatre's stage building (Scaenae Frons) comprises three floors. The seating rows (cavea) up to the diazoma (a passage in the auditorium) are built into a slope. The upper part of the Side Ancient Theatre is situated on an inclined plane made up of vaults and trapezoid vaults. This unique feature makes the Side Ancient Theatre one of the most distinctive structures in the region. The theatre's decorations exhibit the baroque style of the Antonine Period and reflect the architectural influence of the Pompeius Theatre in Rome. The frieze on the podium of the first floor depicts the life of Dionysus, the god of wine and ruler of the theatre, in chronological order from west to east. The eastern end culminates with Gigantomakhia. The stage building's façade is adorned with architectural ornaments and sculptures. While You Are Here When visiting, be sure not to miss the temples of Apollon and Athena, particularly during sunset. While admiring the romantic Mediterranean view, take a moment to observe the Medusa embossed on the temple.
SIDE THEATRE
