Guide
The theatre known locally as the forty steps was built in the Hellenistic age, between 300 and 30 BC, with additions of the Roman period. It stands within the ancient city of Prusias ad Hypium and has two tiers.
What has come down is the wall behind the stage and part of the seating of the upper tier, along with the vaulted passages that carried people in and out from right and left, which are still above ground. The stage building measures 144 feet by 48. The seating of the lower tier is not visible but amounts to about 17 rows; of the upper tier, reached by very steep stairs from the middle walkway, 15 rows are in place with room for four more — about 36 rows in all. Lions' paws are carved on the row ends along the radial walkways.
