The Ancient Theatre of Philippopolis is one of the best preserved ancient theatres in the world. A recently discovered inscription on a statue pedestal indicates that the theatre was built in the 90s of the 1st century A.D., when Philippopolis was under the rulership of Titus Flavius Cotise – an heir of a Thracian Royal Dynasty, the high priest of the Thracian province, representative of the Metropolitan Court of Justice and a person in charge of the construction sites.
​The theatre was one of the major public buildings of the ancient Philippopolis. The open area includes 28 concentric rows of marble seats. In addition to theatrical performances and sittings of the National Assembly and the Union of Thracian Cities, the theatre also hosted gladiatorial fights. It was active until the end of the fourth century and had capacity of 6000 spectators.
Today the Ancient Theatre is one of the symbols of Plovdiv and has been fully adapted to the city's modern cultural life. It is a functioning stage for opera, drama and music.

Free admission day: Every first Thursday of the month – for students and retired people.