The Roman theatre of Philippopolis is a semi-circle with an outer diameter of 82m (269ft). The stage building (the skene), is situated south of the orchestra and has 3 floors. The stage area (proskenion) is 3.16m (10.4ft) high and its facade, which is facing the orchestra, is decorated with an Ionic marble colonnade with triangular pediments.

According to a builders’ inscription, discovered on the frieze-architrave of the eastern proskenion, the construction of the theatre dates back to the time of Emperor Trajan.

Built with 7,000 seats, each section had the names of the city quarters engraved on the benches so the citizens at the time knew where they were to sit.

The theatre was damaged in the 5th century AD by Attila the Hun.

The theatre was found again in the 1970s due to a landslide, this started a major archeological excavation.