Volaterrae (modern Volterra, Italy)

1st century BCE.

Cavea Width: 63 meters
Orchestra Width: 20 meters

The Roman Theatre at Volaterrae (modern Volterra, Italy, ancient Volaterrae) is a Roman theatre with a cavea diameter of 63 meters; featuring 24-25 total rows divided into ima cavea (10 rows in 5 cunei), media cavea (9 rows in 10 cunei), and summa cavea (5-6 rows); facing northwest; with an estimated seating capacity of 2,850-3,500 spectators; containing a circular orchestra of 20.20 meters diameter; constructed during 2-1 BC in the late Augustan period and financed by the wealthy Caecina family; currently exceptionally well-preserved with 19 visible rows of seats, partially reconstructed two-story scaenae frons at the western end, intact orchestra paving, and functional drainage systems, though some maintenance issues with vegetation growth occasionally obscure architectural details, and actively operates as both an archaeological site and cultural venue hosting the annual Volterra Roman Theatre International Festival.

The Roman Theatre of Volterra
Volaterrae (Modern Volterra, Italy)

The Roman theatre at Volaterrae (modern Volterra, Tuscany, Italy) is located in the Vallebuona archaeological area just outside the medieval Porta Fiorentina. The city of Volterra had been continuously inhabited since the 8th century BC, making it one of Tuscany’s oldest settlements. Originally an Etruscan settlement known as Velathri, it became one of the twelve principal Etruscan city-states during the 6th century BC. The city fell under Roman influence in the 3rd century BC and was formally incorporated into the Roman sphere during the 1st century BC (“Volterra: Historical City”). Under Roman rule, particularly during the Augustan period, Volterra experienced significant urban development and architectural embellishment, evidenced by major public works including the theatre, amphitheatre, and various civic buildings (Fiumi, Volterra etrusca 15-20).

Brief History of the Theatre

The theatre was constructed during the late 1st century BC (2-1 BC) as part of the broader Augustan building program that transformed many Italian cities (Sear 170). Construction was financed by the wealthy Caecina family, prominent local aristocrats who held significant political influence during this period (“Teatro Romano”). The monument served the community for approximately three centuries before falling into disuse at the end of the 3rd century AD, likely due to economic decline and changing cultural preferences. Subsequently, the site was used for material extraction during the medieval period, and later a thermal complex was constructed in the area during the 3rd-4th centuries AD (Sear 170).

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

• Modern city, Country: Volterra, Tuscany, Italy
• Orientation: Facing northwest

Cavea (Seating Area)

• Diameter: 63 meters
• Estimated capacity: 2,850-3,500 spectators
• Seating divisions:
  • Ima cavea (lower seating): 10 rows (0.38 × 0.78 m) arranged in 5 cunei (wedge-shaped sections)
  • Media cavea (middle seating): 9 rows (0.38 × 0.73 m) in 10 cunei
  • Summa cavea (upper seating): 5-6 rows
  • Lower praecinctio (walkway): 0.78 m wide
• Construction materials: White Pignano tufa for seats contrasting with dark Montecatini stone for staircases and praecinctiones (walkways); local brown sandstone for walling
• Substructures: Ima and media cavea built against natural slope; summa cavea supported on barrel-vaulted crypta (underground passage) 3.38 m wide, accessible through doorways in podium wall. Irregular open ambulacrum (walkway) around rim of cavea, unfinished due to large rock outcrop blocking western end

Orchestra (Performance Space)

• Dimensions: Diameter 20.20 meters
• Shape and materials: Circular, originally paved in colored marble slabs, surrounded by a passage (0.95 m wide)
• Special features: Stone balteus wall (0.12-13 m wide) with 3 steps for bisellia (honorary seats) with inner diameter c.13 meters; drain system (1.20 m high, 0.52 m wide) connecting to rock-cut channel beneath cavea; later enlarged with proscaenium demolished, possibly transformed into arena

Pulpitum (Stage)

• Dimensions: Length 36.1 meters, width 6.09-8.27 meters (8.97 m including proscaenium wall)
• Stage machinery: Aulaeum (stage curtain) slot 26 meters long, 0.70 meters wide, 2.16 meters deep with small spaces at ends accessible from aditus maximi for curtain operators; 10 mast holes (0.25 × 0.25 m)

Scaenae Frons (Decorative Scene House Front)

• Architectural order: Two-story Corinthian columnatio, 15.50 meters high, late 1st-century BC type
• Design: Regia (central door) set in unusually large curved niche; rectilinear sides with pairs of columns flanking hospitalia (side doors)
• Doorways and stories: Central regia with curved niche, flanked by hospitalia; two massive podia (2.83 m wide, 1.54 m high) each supporting pair of columns
• Decorative elements: Originally decorated with statues of Augustus and Livia; heads of three statues found during excavation, now in Guarnacci Etruscan Museum

Access and Circulation

• Entrances and exits: Aditus maximi (main entrances) 2.1 meters wide with tribunalia (VIP boxes) above, accessible via oblique staircases built into thickness of northwest walls
• Vomitoria: Multiple access points through crypta and ambulacrum systems
• Vela support: Slots for vela (awning) masts (0.18-19 × 0.37-8 m), 4 between each pair of doorways into summa cavea

Current Status

The Roman theatre of Volterra is exceptionally well-preserved, retaining its cavea structure nearly intact with 19 visible rows of seats in the central and lower sectors (“Roman Theatre and Etruscan”). The scaenae frons has been partially reconstructed to two stories at the western end using original architectural elements (“Roman Theatre at Volterra”). The orchestra maintains its original paving, and the complex drainage system remains functional. However, some visitors note that maintenance could be improved, with vegetation growth occasionally obscuring architectural details (“Teatro Romano”).

Conservation Efforts

The site is actively managed by the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscaping for the provinces of Pisa and Livorno (SABAP PI) (“Volterra, the Lost Roman”). Regular maintenance programs address structural stability and visitor safety. The theatre currently operates as both an archaeological site and cultural venue, hosting the annual Volterra Roman Theatre International Festival, which brings contemporary performances to this ancient space (“Roman Theatre and Etruscan”).

UNESCO Status

While not individually listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the theatre is part of Volterra’s nomination as “Volterra: Historical City and Cultural Landscape” on Italy’s Tentative List for World Heritage designation (“Volterra: Historical City”). This broader nomination recognizes Volterra’s exceptional preservation of multi-period urban development spanning Etruscan, Roman, and medieval periods.

Ancient Renovation History

• Original construction: 2-1 BC during consulship of A. Caecina Severus, financed by Caecina family
• Claudian period: Construction of quadriporticus behind scaenae frons
• Late 2nd/3rd century AD: Orchestra enlarged and proscaenium demolished, possibly transforming theatre into arena
• End 3rd century AD: Theatre abandoned
• Late 3rd/4th century AD: Bath complex constructed in porticus post scaenam area

Major Excavation Campaigns

1817: Early attempts by Volterra commune to excavate what was believed to be an amphitheatre, but lack of funding prevented systematic investigation (“Roman Theatre at Volterra”).

1941: Initial discovery of Roman remains during sports field construction in Vallebuona area, but Superintendency of Antiquities of Etruria lacked funds for excavation (“Roman Theatre at Volterra”).

1950-1960s: Major excavation campaign led by Enrico Fiumi, economist and local historian working at Volterra’s Psychiatric Hospital. Remarkably, Fiumi employed patients from the psychiatric hospital as workers, integrating archaeological work with therapeutic activities (“Volterra Roman Theatre”). This unique approach, while unconventional by modern standards, successfully uncovered the theatre and represented an innovative combination of cultural heritage recovery and occupational therapy (Fiumi and De Agostino 114-181).

1970s-1980s: Continued excavation and restoration work by Italian archaeological authorities, including reconstruction of portions of the scaenae frons using original architectural elements found in situ.

Late 1970s: Reconstruction of two-story scaenae frons at western end using recovered structural elements, creating the current partially restored appearance (“Roman Theatre at Volterra”).

Modern Restorations and Digital Documentation

2008-2009: Comprehensive 3D digital documentation project led by Prof. Wladek Fuchs from University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture in collaboration with Autodesk and the Volterra-Detroit Foundation. This project utilized cutting-edge reality capture technology including aerial drones, 3D laser scanners, and specialized software to create detailed digital records of the monument (“Volterra Theater Virtual”).

2018: Advanced 3D modeling project continued, providing new insights into Roman design methodologies and construction techniques. The digital documentation revealed previously unknown aspects of the theatre’s design process and structural engineering (Fuchs).

Publication History

The theatre has been extensively documented in scholarly literature. Key publications include Enrico Fiumi’s initial excavation reports (1955), comprehensive architectural studies by Sear (2006), and specialized investigations by Munzi and Terrenato (2000) examining the theatre within its broader urban and topographical context. Recent digital archaeology studies have produced new insights into Roman construction techniques and design principles (Fuchs).

Bibliography / Resources:

Fiumi, Enrico. Volterra etrusca e romana. Pacini, 1976.

Fiumi, Enrico, and A. De Agostino. “Il teatro romano di Volterra.” Notizie degli Scavi di Antichità, 1955, pp. 114-181.

Fuchs, Wladek. “Virtual Volterra: Ancient Amphitheaters and Temples Recorded in 3D.” Live Science, 5 Feb. 2018, www.livescience.com/61650-ancient-volterra-3d.html.

Munzi, Massimiliano, and Nicola Terrenato, editors. Volterra: il teatro e le terme. Gli edifici, lo scavo, la topografia. All’Insegna del Giglio, 2000.

“Roman Theatre and Etruscan Acropolis of Volterra.” Visit Tuscany, www.visittuscany.com/en/attractions/roman-theatre-volterra/. Accessed 8 June 2025.

“Roman Theatre at Volterra.” Wikipedia, 14 Feb. 2025, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Theatre_at_Volterra.

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

“Teatro Romano.” Consorzio Turistico Volterra Valdicecina Valdera, volterratur.it/en/poi/roman-theatre/. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

“Volterra: Historical City and Cultural Landscape.” UNESCO World Heritage Centre, whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5006/. Accessed 8 June 2025.

“Volterra Roman Theatre.” The Brain Chamber, 26 Mar. 2024, thebrainchamber.com/volterra-roman-theatre/.

“Volterra, the Lost Roman Amphitheatre.” ArchaeoReporter, 20 Feb. 2021, www.archaeoreporter.com/en/2020/11/18/volterra-roman-amphitheatre/.

“Volterra Theater Virtual Reconstruction.” Volterra-Detroit Foundation, volterra-detroit.org/2015/07/15/volterra-roman-theater/. Accessed 8 June 2025.