Athens: The Odeon of Herod Atticus, Athens’ beloved ancient theatre at the base of the Acropolis, has opened its final performance season before closing for a significant restoration. The iconic venue, more than 1,800 years old, will undergo at least three years of maintenance work following the conclusion of the 70th Athens Epidaurus Festival.
Long a cultural jewel for locals and a must-see for tourists, the Herodion is best known for its open-air performances under the stars. The theatre has hosted legends like Luciano Pavarotti, Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas, and Coldplay, becoming synonymous with Athens’ summer arts scene.
Festival artistic director Katerina Evangelatos described the theatre as “the heart of the festival,” a symbol deeply woven into the city’s cultural identity.
This year’s festival opened with the Greek National Opera’s Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot production. Crews built temporary structures behind the odeon’s arched stone walls to accommodate the grand staging and a large cast. They extended the performance space with a wooden platform over the orchestra pit.
The adaptation was needed to meet Turandot’s technical and artistic demands, including the dramatic scene where the emperor, Turandot’s father, is ceremonially wheeled into a towering throne. The sequence required significant on-stage space for many performers to appear at once.
With its final season underway, Athenians and visitors are savouring the last chance to experience performances in this legendary venue before it falls silent for a much-needed revival.
