Page 145 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

SOUTHERN SICIL Y  143

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Greek Theatre and Neapolis
Archaeological Zone: Viale
Paradiso 14. Tel 0931-662 06.
Open 9am–6pm daily. Closed
Mon. & Istituto Nazionale del
Dramma Antico (INDA): Corso
Matteotti 29. Tel 0931-487 200.
Box office: 0931-487 248.
∑ indafondazione.org

Galleries
Called criptae, the galleries were cut out of the rock in the Roman
period to replace the more ancient passageways of the cavea,
which had been removed to create more seating space.
KEY
1 The diazoma divided the
auditorium into two parts.
2 The cavea (auditorium) is
over 138 m (453 ft) wide with
67 tiers, divided into 10 vertical
blocks (or “wedges”). Each
block was served by a flight of
steps and was indicated by a
letter, a custom that survives
in modern theatres today.
3 The stage area was greatly
enlarged in the Roman period.
4 Two enormous pillars of
rock stood either side of the
stage area.
5 On the orchestra was
a monument to Dionysus,
around which the chorus
acted, danced and sang.

The Istituto Nazionale del
Dramma Antico
On 16 April 1914, the tradition of
performing ancient Greek theatre was
revived at Syracuse, and now a season
of plays first performed here over
Logo of the 2,500 years ago is put on every year in
Syracuse INDA May/June. The Istituto Nazio nale del
Dramma Antico (National Institute of
Ancient Drama) was set up in 1925. The Scuola Professionale
di Teatro Antico (Professional School of Ancient Theatre) Playbill of Aeschylus’ Libation Bearers designed
joined as partners in 1983. by Duilio Cambellotti (1921)

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