Roman Stadium of Patras

In the center of Patras and a little west of the Roman Conservatory is revealed the Roman Stadium of Patras, which was originally identified with an amphitheater or stadium.

Its length is about 200 meters and its width is 90 meters. On its great axis, one narrow side is below the church of Pantanassa and the other between Gerokostopoulou and Erissos streets.

From the two long sides, one is located on the west side of Agios Georgios square and the other between Al. Ypsilantis and Karaiskaki.

From the excavation data it seems that the Stadium is an offer of the emperor Domitian to the city of Patras and construction began in 86 AD, when the city celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Roman colony in it from August 14 BC. .Χ.

Pausanias mentions neither a stadium nor an amphitheater, but a theater near the Conservatory.

From this fact it is obvious that the Stadium was used as a theater, as it is a theatrical construction, while it is known that in Roman times the stadiums were also called theaters.

Today the east far side has come to light, on which there are two moldings. Under the seats there are underground corridors for the service of actors and athletes and it is expected that with the progress of the works the whole monument will be unveiled.