The Ancient Theatre Archive

The Theatre Architecture of Greece and Rome

Faesulae (modern Fiesole, Italy)

Date: 6 Feb 2024Author: hinesthomas

Ancient City

Faesulae (Roman). Viesul, Viśl, or Vipsul (Etruscan)

Location

Modern Fiesole, Italy

Theatre Type

Roman Theatre

Earliest Date

27 BCE – 14 CE (Augustan)

GPS Coordinates

43.80768, 11.29364

Seating Capacity

2,600 - 3,250

Dimensions

Cavea Width: 67 meters
Orchestra Width: 22 meters

Summary

The Roman Theatre at Faesulae (modern Fiesole, Italy) features a cavea width of 67 meters, comprising 21 rows of seats divided into 4 cunei; north-northeast orientation; seating capacity of 2,600-3,250 spectators (Sear 165); orchestra diameter of 22.14 meters, paved in colored marble with a surrounding passageway 0.97 meters wide (Sear 165). Construction began during the Augustan period (27 BCE-14 CE), with the scene building added during the Claudian period (41-54 CE) and significant renovations undertaken during the reign of Septimius Severus (193-211 CE) (Sear 166). The current condition features well-preserved remains of the cavea, orchestra, and scaenae footings. The site remains in active use today,

Roman theatre at Faesulae (modern Fiesole, Italy)

The Roman theatre of Faesulae (modern Fiesole, Italy) dates to the Augustan period (27 BCE to 14 CE) and is located approximately 5 kilometers northeast of Florence The theatre’s northeastern orientation and positioning on sloping terrain permitted Roman engineers to implement differential structural solutions: utilizing the natural incline to support the western section of the cavea, while employing sophisticated vaulted substructures for the eastern portion (Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites).

Historical Context

The history of Faesulae predates any Roman constructions. According to archaeological evidence, the site was founded as an Etruscan settlement around the 9th century BCE, becoming one of the most significant centers in northern Etruria by the 4th century BCE (Encyclopedia Britannica). The Etruscan city, known as Viesul, Viśl, or Vipsul, was an important member of the Etruscan confederacy (Wikipedia).

The first documented mention of Faesulae dates to 283 BCE when the Etruscan town was conquered by the Romans. The city’s relationship with Rome was tumultuous at times. During the Social War (90 BCE), Faesulae fought against Rome and subsequently was destroyed by the armies of Lucius Porcius Cato. In 80 BCE, the Roman dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla colonized the site with his veterans colonization marked a turning point, as the city was reconstructed and transformed into a typical Roman settlement with characteristic urban features, including the theatre.

The theatre dates to the Augustan period (27 BCE to 14 CE), with material found under the retaining wall of the cavea supporting this dating (Sear 165-166). The scene building was later constructed during the Claudian period (41 to 54 CE), and significant restoration work was undertaken during the reign of Septimius Severus (193 to 211 CE) (Sear 165-166).

Architectural Specifications

The following specifications are drawn from Frank Sear’s reference book, Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study (Oxford University Press, 2006), except where otherwise noted.

Location

  • 5 kilometers northeast of Florence (GPS coordinates 43.80768, 11.29364)
  • The theatre faces north-northeast, utilizing the hillside for structural support
  • The western side of the cavea rests on the natural slope of the hill, while the eastern side is built on radial vaulted substructures for stability and to accommodate the terrain (Sear 165)

Cavea (seating area)

  • Diameter and estimated capacity: Diameter of 67 meters with an estimated capacity between 2,600 and 3,250 spectators (Sear 165)
  • Seating divisions: 21 rows of seats (0.36 m high, 0.75 m deep) divided into 4 cunei (wedge-shaped sections) by staircases (Sear 165)
  • Construction materials and techniques: Stone seating tiers arranged in a semicircular pattern
  • Support structures and access:
    • Around the top row of seats runs a praecinctio (horizontal walkway) with a width of 1.65 meters
    • Upper parts of the east side built on radial vaulted substructures
    • Terrace with staircases on each side behind the cavea, possibly for a temple
    • Staircases running down to a rock-cut path around the outer cavea wall
    • Crypta (covered corridor) around the top of the cavea with a porticus (columned walkway) above
    • The inner wall of the crypta contains doorways corresponding to the staircases dividing the cavea into cunei, with additional doorways between them
    • Doorways in the outer wall provide access from the rock-cut path (Sear 165)

Orchestra (performance space between audience and stage)

  • Dimensions, shape, and materials: Diameter of 22.14 meters, paved in colored marble
  • Special features and modifications:
    • Surrounded by a passageway 0.97 meters wide (resulting in a diameter with passage of 20.20 meters)
    • Four steps for bisellia (seats of honor) with an inner diameter of 13 meters (Sear 165)

Pulpitum (stage)

  • Dimensions and construction details: Length of 43.70 meters, width varying from 6.31 to 7.57 meters (8.93 meters including the proscaenium wall) (Sear 165)
  • Stage machinery: At the west end of the hyposcaenium (area beneath the stage), a small rock-cut room contained two large stone blocks, one with a rectangular hole and the other with a circular hole, possibly for a scaena versilis (revolving stage element) (Sear 165-166)
  • Connection to orchestra: Connected via the proscaenium (front stage wall), which was 1.36 meters wide and 1.50 meters high according to Minto, or 1.35 meters high according to Galli (Sear 165)

Scaenae Frons (decorative scene house front)

  • Architectural order and design: Corinthian order, two stories high with a columnatio (column arrangement) height of 13.50 meters according to Minto (Sear 166)
  • Doorways and stories:
    • Regia (central door) set in a curved niche
    • Hospitalia (side doors) in shallow rectangular niches
    • Two stories in the Corinthian order (Sear 166)
  • Decorative elements: At the sides of the stage were small basilicas; northeast of the east basilica, a staircase probably led to the upper stories of the scene building (Sear 166)

Access and Circulation

  • Entrances, exits, and vomitoria:
    • Two barrel-vaulted radial passageways at the northeast corner of the theatre
    • The outer passageway was a steeply descending aditus maximus (main entrance), accessible either from a doorway at the end of the curved wall around the cavea or from a doorway in the rectilinear wall next to the versura (side entrance)
    • The inner passageway, further along the curved wall, was at a much higher level due to the steep rise of the rock-cut path
    • A vomitorium (exit passage) at the end of the passageway opens directly opposite the staircase flanking the end cuneus on the east side, emerging at the 14th row of seats (Sear 165)
  • Stairways and special areas: Just before the vomitorium, another passageway branches off to the right; at the end of this passageway, on the right, a staircase leads directly up to the crypta (Sear 165)

Current Status

The Faesulae theatre is well-preserved, with significant portions of the original structure still intact and visible. The remains of the cavea, orchestra, and the scaenae footings are particularly well-preserved.

Conservation efforts have focused on preserving the theatre’s structural integrity while making it accessible to the public. The Archaeological Area of Fiesole, which includes the theatre, is protected by Italian legislation as an archaeological site of national importance (Musei di Fiesole).

Since 1911, when the first modern performance of Oedipus Rex was staged in the ancient structure, the theatre has regularly hosted theatrical and musical performances (Destination Florence). Today, it serves as the primary venue for the Estate Fiesolana festival, one of Italy’s oldest open-air cultural festivals, which runs annually from June to September featuring performances of theatre, music, dance, and cinema (VisitTuscany).

The Archaeological Area of Fiesole, including the theatre, is open to visitors throughout the year. A museum adjacent to the site houses artifacts discovered during excavations, including sculptural elements and decorative features from the theatre itself (Musei di Fiesole).

Renovations / Excavations

Renovation History

The Faesulae theatre underwent several significant phases of construction and renovation throughout its history, each reflecting the changing needs and aesthetic preferences of different imperial periods.

(27 BCE to 14 CE) The initial construction of the theatre dates to the Augustan period (27 BCE to 14 CE), as evidenced by materials found under the retaining wall of the cavea (Sear 166). This phase established the basic structure of the theatre, particularly the cavea utilizing the natural hillside.

(41 to 54 CE) The scene building was a later addition, constructed during the Claudian period (Sear 166). This addition would have significantly enhanced the theatrical experience, providing a permanent architectural backdrop for performances and improving the acoustic properties of the space.

(193 to 211 CE) Major restoration work was undertaken during the reign of Septimius Severus, as possibly referenced in the inscription CIL 11. 1547 (Sear 166). The Severan renovations likely included decorative updates and structural repairs, maintaining the theatre’s functionality and visual appeal for audiences in the early third century.

Archaeological Research

1873-1878: Archaeological investigation of the Faesulae theatre began when excavation work commenced under the direction of Marquis Carlo Strozzi (The Ancient Theatre Archive). This initial campaign revealed the well-preserved remains of the Roman theatre after centuries of abandonment and led to the establishment of the Municipal Museum of Fiesole in 1878 (Sear 166).

1876: H. Dütschke published findings in Archäologische Zeitung, providing one of the earliest scholarly documentations of the theatre’s architecture and state of preservation (Sear 166).

1914: E. Galli published “Fiesole, gli scavi, il Museo Civico,” which documented the theatre’s dimensions and architectural features in detail (Sear 166). Galli notably proposed an interpretation of stone blocks discovered in the hyposcaenium as elements of a scaena versilis (revolving stage mechanism), suggesting sophisticated theatrical technology was employed at Faesulae.

1937: A. Minto contributed significant measurements and architectural analyses in his publication in Dioniso, including the proscaenium height (1.50 m) and an estimated columnatio height of the scaenae frons (13.50 m) (Sear 165-166).

1986: The publication of “Il Teatro romano di Fiesole” provided updated documentation of the theatre’s architectural features and preservation status (Sear 166)..

Late 20th to early 21st century: Recent archaeological work has continued to enhance understanding of the theatre’s relationship to the broader urban context of Roman Faesulae. Excavations in Piazza Garibaldi have revealed a Roman insula (city block) positioned adjacent to the forum, helping to establish the theatre’s position within the overall urban landscape (Musei di Fiesole). Additionally, discoveries of Lombard tombs behind the modern City Hall at the “Necropolis of Area Garibaldi” have further illuminated post-Roman settlement patterns.

Bibliography / Resources:

 

Last Update: 04-03-2025