Built before the Herodeon, the Odeon of Patras reveals the city’s rare theatrical topography and continues to host performances 2,000 years later.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The heart of Roman entertainment still beats in Patras.
To the west of the Castle, directly above Agiou Georgiou Square, lies the Roman Odeon of Patras — one of the oldest surviving from the Roman era. Although smaller than the Odeon of Herodes Atticus, it is considered older, with a capacity of approximately 2,500 spectators. Its cavea is not carved into natural ground but rests on an artificial retaining structure made of stone and bricks, reinforced with piers.
Its architecture follows the Roman typology: a cavea, an orchestra with marble facing, a proscaenium, and a stage with impressive niches.
Spectators enter via three built staircases leading to the cavea, which is divided into upper and lower sections.
The Odeon was abandoned after the 3rd century AD and remained buried under soil for centuries. It was accidentally uncovered in 1889 during construction work for the port.
In the 1950s, the architect Ioannis Vasileiou undertook the restoration and marble refacing of the lower tier.
Today, the Roman Odeon comes alive again through summer cultural events, linking the ancient past with contemporary creativity.
