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Herculaneum theater | Gateway to discovering the ruins
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Contents
Highlights of the Herculaneum theater
Statues
One of the early discoveries from the theater were the marble statues of two Herculaneum women, which were gifted by the Duke of D’Elbeuf to the Prince of Savoy. In the 18th century, Duke D’Elbeuf sanctioned further excavations of the theater. He sought to find other such treasures to decorate his residence.
Stage
The stage was what was first discovered in the theater by accident in 1709. Now, it comprises two pylons built in the 18th century, post the discovery of the theater. There are ruined remains of the Scaenae Frons, or the raised columns behind the stage that framed the performers on stage. There’s also some remains of the Proscenium, or raised theater stage.
Interiors
Descending into the depths of the theater requires squeezing through narrow tunnels and ducking down low arches. There are deposits of lime across the walls and columns with occasional water seepage, making the theater a slippery and dank place. In its heyday, however, the theater boasted marble walls, vivid frescoes and statues. Some of these statues are located in the Dresden Museum and the Archeological Museum of Naples today.
Inscriptions
Two inscriptions are still legible inside the theater, although their accompanying statues have long been removed. One is dedicated to Marcus Nonius Balbo, the then governor of Crete and public beneficiary of Herculaneum. The other was dedicated to Appius Claudius Pulcher, Consul of the Roman Republic in 54 AD. Pulcher had a holiday retreat in Herculaneum.
The Herculaneum theater today
Presently, the theater is located outside the main excavation ruins, towards the north. Due to the nature and structure of excavations conducted across the 18th and 19th centuries, only a small portion of the theater is accessible, that too by descending underground. Visitors can access the theater through a building on Via Mare and take the same route as the 18th century explorers did — down a steep flight of stairs that’s cut through volcanic rock. However, tourists are not yet permitted to access the attraction, though the Ministry of Culture is planning to allow special-access tours on an experimental basis — starting this year.
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Frequently asked questions about the Herculaneum theater
Does the theater screen any special events or plays today?
No, the theater is not a public entertainment space. Large parts of it are still unexplored due to the density of the volcanic rock covering it. The little we can see of the theater today is only for guided visits and scientific study.
Why did the theater garner so much attention in the 18th century?
When bits of marble were accidentally discovered in the theater, royal families like Prince d’Elbeuf and later, King Charles of Bourbon had vested interests in the excavation. They wanted to fill their homes with the rich marble statues, busts, columns and stones from the theater, not really caring about the deeper significance of this find.
When did the excavation of the Herculaneum theater become a serious pursuit?
Once scientists and archeologists understood that there is likely an entire town buried beneath the neighboring areas of Portici and Ercolano, they approached excavation efforts with more care. Under Amadeo Maiuri in the 20th century, Herculaneum’s reclamation efforts were more scientific and sensitized to the ecology and geology of the region.
How was the theater initially drilled?
Excavation of the theater was initially approached carelessly and unscientifically, since the main motive was only to retrieve treasures. There were vertical tunnels drilled into the theater that destroyed many important frescoes and theater elements. It was only by the 19th century that efforts to drill laterally were introduced to preserve the ruins and disturb them as little as possible.
Where is the entrance to the theater?
You can enter the theater today through a building on Via Mare. However, the theater is not formally open to the public yet — though sometime this year, the Ministry of Culture plans to permit small-group tours on an experimental basis.
