Theater of Marcellus Wheelchair Accessible Tours

The Theater of Marcellus is located in the area between the Tiber River and the Capitoline Hill.

The area was consecrated to stage performances given the presence as early as 179 BC of the "Theatrum et proscenium ad Apollinis", linked to the Temple of Apollo.

The Theater of Marcellus is one of the oldest buildings in Rome used for shows that has come down to us.

It is largely preserved and was started by Julius Caesar and was subsequently taken up by Augustus who probably finished it as early as 17 BC.

Augustus himself dedicated it to Marcellus, his nephew and future successor of the empire, in 13 or 11 BC.

Restored by Vespasiano and Alessandro Severo, still in use in the IV century, later, given its elevated position near the river, it was changed into a fortress owned by the Pierleonis and the Fabi families.

Touring Theater of Marcellus

The outside of the cavea is in blocks of travertine with 41 arches.

The building originally consisted of three floors, but only the first two have been preserved ( respectively with pillars framing the arches in the Doric and Ionic order ), while the third level must have consisted of a closed attic with square windows and pilasters Corinthian.