San Nicola Theatre (Mt. San Nicola, modern Pietravairano, Italy)

100 BCE

Cavea Width: 43 meters
Orchestra Width: 21 meters

Summary: Mt. San Nicola Theatre (modern Pietravairano, Campania, Italy). Greco-Roman theatre/temple complex (temple above, theatre below); South facing, semicircular, cavea. Cavea width: 43 meters: ima cavea 2 rows in 4 cunei; media cavea 11 rows in 4 cunei; summa cavea 2 rows in 4 cunei; 3 stairways separate cunei sections horizontally; media and summa cavea separated vertically by wide passageway (diazoma); seating: approximately 2,000. Semicircular orchestra: 21 meters wide; stage: ? L 26m x W 2.7m missing but originally covered with wooden planking. Basilicas: side buildings on either side of stage. East basilica still exists. Scaenae frons (stage house front) no longer exists. Skene is supported by semicircular buttresses behind and to the south of the stage. Date: 1st century BCE.

Mt. San Nicola Theatre (modern Pietravairano, Campania, Italy)
T. Hines

The Theater of Mt. San Nicola is part of a theatre-temple complex located in the Caserta province of the Campania region in Italy. It is part of a Roman theatre and temple complex located at the top of Monte San Nicola, near the modern city of Pietravairano. The complex was lost and forgotten for centuries, then found by accident by a local pilot in 2000.

On a clear February morning in 2000, Nicolino Lombardi, a local historian and pilot, flew his ultralight over nearby Mt. San Nicola. He planned to photograph a recent landslide on the hills south of his village of Pietravairano in the Campania region of Italy. Lombardi had photographed this region in the past and was accustomed to seeing fragments of ancient Samnite, Roman, and medieval ruins mostly obscured by blankets of foliage. However, during this particular flight, the view was different. A recent brushfire had cleared the overgrowth, revealing a long-hidden treasure: the ruins of a theater/temple complex. In his report following his discovery, Lombardi wrote, “This time, however, the symmetry immediately catches the eye, and everything is clear in a flash: I even seem to see a temple and a theater, with the colonnade still standing and the wide steps full of spectators” (Lombardi p.1).

Location and History: The complex is sited on Mount Nicola near the village of Pietravairano, Italy. At 450 meters above sea level, the remote and relatively inaccessible mountaintop location was rarely, if ever, visited by locals, tourists, or archeologists. The region had been occupied by the Osci, Etruscans, and Samnites since the beginning of the 1st millennium BCE. Still, a closer examination of the ruins of the theatre and temple complex would reveal evidence of Roman construction, dating back to the early 1st Century BCE. Both the theatre and temple were abandoned in the 2nd Century CE and disappeared from public memory due to their somewhat inaccessible location and the vegetation that eventually overgrew the ruins. On a clear February morning in 2000, Nicolino Lombardi, a Campania resident historian, was able to discern the outline of ruins while piloting a light aircraft over the region. A recent brushfire on the mountain had cleared foliage that normally obscured the view. (source: Il teatro ritrovato. Il complesso archeologico del Monte S. Nicola di Pietravairano. (Cinque Luigi, and Panariti, Dario).
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Architectural Specifications

The following specifications are drawn from “The Summary of Excavations, Monte San Nicola.” Fasti Archaeologici. The International Association for Classical Archaeology. FastiOnline.

Location

• GPS coordinates: 41.33627, 14.16936
• Orientation: South-facing
• Positioned on the western extremity of Monte Nicola, 450m above sea level, within an area delimited by Samnite walls. The theatre capitalizes on the natural slope of the mountain, with the temple terrace situated above it. The complex is difficult to reach but offers a commanding view of the valley below (Fasti Archaeologici).

Cavea (seating area)

• Diameter and estimated capacity: The cavea has a diameter of approximately 43 meters.. The theatre could seat approximately 2,000 spectators (Fasti Archaeologici).
• Seating divisions: The cavea is divided horizontally into three main sections:
  • Ima cavea (lowest section): 2 rows
  • Media cavea (middle section): 11 rows
  • Summa cavea (highest section): 3 rows
  • Total: 16 rows of seating
• Vertical divisions: Three radial stairways divide the cavea into four wedge-shaped sections (cunei)
• Horizontal divisions: Two wide passageways (diazomata) separate the three main sections of the cavea
• Construction materials and techniques: The cavea was partially cut into the natural limestone bedrock and completed with tiers built of irregularly shaped limestone chips bonded with mortar. The containing walls (analemmata) were constructed in opus incertum (a Roman construction technique using irregularly shaped stones) with local limestone (Fasti Archaeologici).
• Support structures and access: Due to the steep incline of Mt. San Nicola, the theatre’s construction is supported by a series of four semicircular buttresses positioned behind and to the south of the stage house, creating a monumental architectural façade visible from the valley below (Fasti Archaeologici).

Orchestra (performance space between audience and stage)

• Dimensions, shape, and materials: The orchestra is semicircular with a diameter of 21 meters. The floor surface is made of compact mortar with small limestone and tile inclusions (Fasti Archaeologici).
• Special features and modifications: Large sections of the same floor material were also present along the aditus (the sloped entranceways providing access to the theatre from the exterior toward the orchestra level) (Fasti Archaeologici).

Pulpitum (stage)

• Dimensions and construction details: While the exact dimensions are not fully documented, the stage was originally covered by wooden planking, all traces of which have been lost. A central opening, 0.80 m wide, provided entry to the scenery pit (hyposcaenium), which was initially covered by the wooden pulpitum (Fasti Archaeologici).
• Basilicas (tower-like structures with doors flanking the stage): the east basilica still exists; the west basilica is missing.

Scaenae Frons (decorative scene house front)

• Architectural order and design: The scaenae frons was supported to the rear by semicircular buttresses, though minimal evidence remains of the front wall’s form and decoration (Fasti Archaeologici).
• Doorways and stories: While the specific configuration is not detailed in the excavation reports, the structure was likely covered by a flat roof at a height equal to the rear of the cavea seating (Fasti Archaeologici).
• Basilicas (tower-like structures with doors flanking the stage): The east basilica still exists; the west basilica is missing.
• Decorative elements: Terracotta architectural elements, including palmetted cyma and lion head drips, have been recovered from the site, providing evidence of the decorative scheme (Fasti Archaeologici).

Excavations and Restorations

The San Nicola theater/temple complex underwent eight excavation campaigns (2002-2015), initially directed by the University of Salento and the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage (2002-2006) under Prof. Tagliamonte and Dr. Sirano, then continued under the University of Salento’s leadership (2007-2015). Excavations revealed that the temple and theater were built as a unified complex, abandoned by the mid-2nd century CE, and later reoccupied in medieval times.

Restoration began in 2014 when Pietravairano Municipality awarded a contract to the Valori Business Consortium. By 2023, completed work included reconstructed cavea seating, orchestra and stage planking, repaired walls, architectural lighting, visitor paths, and a visitor center. The planned funicular transport system remains partially installed and unfinished, with construction activity having ceased as of June 2023.

The first performance in 2000 years was staged at the restored theatre on 11 June 2017. “Leonardo da Vinci” High School of Vairano Scalo. comedy by the Greek author Menander “Lo Scorbutico” (Menander).

Since 2002, eight excavation campaigns have been conducted at the San Nicola theater/temple complex. The first four were carried out through an agreement between the University of Salento and the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Salerno, Avellino, Benevento, and Caserta, under the direction of Prof. Gianluca Tagliamonte and Dr. Francesco Sirano. The subsequent excavations were also conducted by the University of Salento under a three-year concession (2012–2014) issued by the Directorate General for Antiquities of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (MIBACT), with Tagliamonte as director and Luciano Rendina as coordinator.

Excavtions:

• 2002: Initial discovery following aerial photography analysis by Nicola Lombardi. The existence of pre-Roman fortified walls had previously been confirmed by D. Caiazza and S.P. Oakely. Director: Stefano De Caro, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici delle province di Napoli e Caserta.
• 2005: Study of building techniques and stratigraphic sequences through targeted trenches to define the relationship between the cavea and temple terrace. Director: Stefano De Caro, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici delle province di Napoli e Caserta, with participation from the University of Lecce.
• 2006 (April 10 – May 31): Exposure of the cavea and discovery of architectural elements, including palmetted cyma and lion head drips from the roofing system. Director: Stefano De Caro, Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici delle province di Napoli e Caserta.
• 2007-2008 (May 2007 – February 2008): Complete exposure of the temple building and discovery of thirteen burials, providing epigraphic evidence including a bronze aes mentioning Antoninus Pius (151-152 CE). Director: Gianluca Tagliamonte, Università del Salento (formerly University of Lecce).
• 2012 (September 19 – November 23): Investigation of the eastern sector of the cavea and experimental restoration work, revealing the transition point between the media and ima cavea. Director: Gianluca Tagliamonte, Università del Salento.
• 2013 (October 9 – November 16): The sixth campaign focused on exposing the ima cavea and orchestra floor, with logistical reorganization and continued restoration efforts. Director: Gianluca Tagliamonte, Università del Salento.
• 2015: Completion of the excavation, fully exposing the pronaos where two additional burials were found, and revealing all sixteen tiers of the cavea and the proscaenium in its entirety. Director: Gianluca Tagliamonte, Università del Salento.

Summary of Monte San Nicola Excavations (2002-2015)

The excavations confirmed that the temple and theater were conceived and built as a single complex. The sanctuary appears to have lost its original function by the mid-2nd century CE, as evidenced by burials found near the temple, including one containing a bronze coin from the reign of Antoninus Pius (151-152 CE).

The site experienced medieval reoccupation, with evidence including pottery fragments, burials with medieval artifacts (bronze “basket” earring with glass pendant, bronze open ring fibula with volute terminals), and remains of a chapel built on the ancient skene, dedicated to San Nicola.

The excavations represent a successful collaboration between state archaeological authorities (Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici delle province di Napoli e Caserta) under Stefano De Caro (2002-2006) and university research teams (Università del Salento) under Gianluca Tagliamonte (2007-2015).

Source: “Summary of Excavations, Monte San Nicola.” Fasti Archaeologici. The International Association for Classical Archaeology.” FastiOnline. https://www.fastionline.org/excavation/micro_view.php?fst_cd=AIAC_1747&curcol=main_column

Restoration Status

The Pietravairano site has recently undergone functional and conservation-focused restoration. The objective was to present the complex as an archaeological exhibit while also serving as a venue for theatrical productions (Source: Antonio Salerno, Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Salerno).

On October 7, 2014, the Municipality of Pietravairano awarded a contract to the Valori Business Consortium of Rome for the “recovery and valorization” of the Monte San Nicola site. The announcement did not specify reconstruction plans, aside from the installation of a funicular visitor transport system, described as operating on a toothed track positioned on the ground surface (Zarone, Mayor of Pietravairano). The total contract value was under two million euros, including four hundred thousand euros for the visitor transport system.

As of June 2023, completed work on the site included:

• Reconstruction of the cavea seating in the theater
• Installation of planking over the orchestra and stage
• Repairs to the supporting walls of the cavea
• Installation of an architectural lighting system
• Completion of a primitive walking path
• Construction of a visitor center building with a small, unfinished parking lot
• Partial installation of the funicular system foundation remained unfinished as of May 2023.

All construction activity on the site had ceased before my visit in June 2023 (T. Hines).

(Source: “Theatre Renovation Project: ‘Pietravairano – Teatro Tempio Monte San Nicola, Contract Awarded.’ Paese News, October 7, 2014. https://www.paesenews.it/?p=46075. Accessed June 2, 2024.)

Bibliography / Resources:

Cinque, Luigi, and Dario Panariti. Il teatro ritrovato. Il complesso archeologico del Monte S. Nicola di Pietravairano. University of Salento (Lecce) Superintendence for the Archaeological Heritage of Salerno, Avellino, Benevento, and Caserta, 2012, www.academia.edu/21656836/Il_teatro_ritrovato_Il_complesso_archeologico_del_Monte_S_Nicola_di_Pietravairano. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

“Monte San Nicola.” Fasti Archaeologici, The International Association for Classical Archaeology, www.fastionline.org/excavation/micro_view.php?item_key=fst_cd&fst_cd=AIAC_1747. Accessed 8 Apr. 2023.

Lombardi, Nicolino. Theater Calls Theater: From the Discovery of a Theater-Temple Complex of the Volturno Civilization to the Operational Proposals for the School and the Territory. Ikona, 2001.

Lo Scorbutico [The Grouch]. By Menander, directed by Compagnia di Macco, Teatro Tempio di Pietravairano, Vairano Scalo, 12 Apr. 2025. Performance.

“Pietravairano.” Pleiades, Ancient World Mapping Center and Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, pleiades.stoa.org/places/251442732. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Sear, Frank. Roman Theatres: An Architectural Study. Oxford University Press, 2006.

Tagliamonte, F., et al. “Archaeological Research in the Sanctuary of Monte San Nicola di Pietravairano (CE).” The Role of the Cult in the Development of the Communities of Ancient Italy Between 4th and 1st Centuries BCE: Structures, Functions, and Cultural Interactions, edited by E. Lippolis, Thiasos Monographs 10, 2018, pp. 361-373.

Tagliamonte, F., et al. “Pietravairano (CE): The Sanctuary of Monte San Nicola.” The Theater Rediscovered: The Archaeological Complex of Monte S. Nicola di Pietravairano, Formia, 2012, pp. 5-16.

Tagliamonte, L. M., et al. The Theater Rediscovered: The Sanctuary of Monte S. Nicola in Pietravairano (CE): Excavations and Research (Year 2013). Piccola Editalia, 2014.

Tagliamonte, L. M., et al. The Theater Rediscovered: The Sanctuary of Monte S. Nicola in Pietravairano (CE): The Excavation Campaign of the Year 2012. Piccola Editalia, 2013.

“Temple and Theater of San Nicola.” Pietravairano, www.pietravairano-ce.it/teatro_tempio.htm. Accessed 6 Apr. 2023.

“Theatre Renovation Project: ‘Pietravairano – Teatro Tempio Monte San Nicola, Contract Awarded.'” Paese News, 7 Oct. 2014, www.paesenews.it/?p=46075. Accessed 2 June 2024.

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