Teatro Romano (Roman Theatre), Cadiz

The Roman Theatre (El Teatro Romano) in Cadiz, also called Balbi Theatre (Teatro Balbi), remains only partially uncovered. It was discovered in 1980. Its official address is C. Meson, 11,13 11005, in the present-day El Populo district of Cadiz. The theatre was built circa 70 BC.

The famed Roman politian Lucius Cornelius Balbus ("the Elder") was born in Cadiz and was mates with Julius Caesar. Lucius and his nephew, Balbus, were endeavoring to expand the boundaries of Gades (Cadiz). They wished to build the Neapolis (New City). So far, an amphitheater and the Roman Theatre have been unearthed.

The Roman Theatre was abandoned near the end of the 3rd century AD. It was plundered a bit from that time through the next century. The remains did see some use as storerooms, stabling, and even housing into the Middle Ages. It provided foundations for the Moorish fort called "Castle of the Theatre."

Although the digs are still incomplete, the Roman Theatre is considered the oldest and perhaps the largest of its kind in all of Spain. It has a horseshoe auditorium and parabolic seating in tiers. Under the seating was a distribution gallery with circular barrel vaulting. The outside wall is of hewed ashlar stone.

The new Theatre Visitors' Center features accurate models of the excavated theatre. There are three areas of study. The "Theatre of Neapolis," the "Castle of the Theatre," and finally, the "Theatre of Balbus."