Did you know there is a Roman Theatre in Lisbon?

Have you ever visited the Roman Theater of Lisbon? One of the first buildings to be erected in the Roman city of Felicitas Iulia Olisipo (Lisbon), during the time of Emperor Augustus, and later remodeled during the time of Nero. You can find it on São Mamede Street, in the historical part of town, as part of the Lisbon Museum. But it wasn't always like this.

The theater represented the power of the empire, but that power declined over time, of course. The theater was buried in the 4th century AD and completely forgotten by the city. Only the earthquake of 1755 was able to uncover the Roman ruins where tragedies and comedies were once staged, but even then, there was no effort to preserve it. 

The French invasions would again consign it to oblivion. It wasn't until the 20th century that people would start recognizing its importance. In 1964, excavation work began, leading to new discoveries. The old buildings where the Roman theater was located (one from the 18th century, another from the 19th century) were restored and adapted for the establishment of the former Roman Theater Museum, which was inaugurated in 2001, the year a supporting wall of the scenic facade and the hillside were discovered.

Between 2013 and 2015, a museographic renovation of the space took place, giving rise to the Lisbon Museum - Roman Theater, where a vast collection of documents and materials collected in archaeological campaigns is preserved, including artifacts spanning from the Iron Age to the medieval period. A journey through time!