Teatro di Marcello
Teatro di Marcello
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience Teatro di Marcello
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Sant'Angelo
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
7,951 within 3 miles
Attractions
2,316 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
556 reviews
Excellent
221
Very good
275
Average
57
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Swell Traveller
Melbourne, Australia3,691 contributions
Oct 2019
End October 2019
After visiting The Mouth of Truth, checking out the 2 temples Hercules Victor & Portuno we came upon this amphitheatre. In the summer they house concerts here. My friend went to the cafe next door while I checked this place out.
The theatre really resembles a small Colosseum. I remember driving past this in 2012, but never getting to see it. Was happy to stumble upon it on our last day in Rome.
Take your time walking through this area as there are other ruins - you pass broken columns on the ground, some still standing and small temples or parts of structures.
There weren't many tourists around making it quite pleasant to investigate, read the signs [English & Italian] and take some photos.
If you keep walking you will end up at the bottom of the Palatine ruins and the side of the war memorial with the horse and chariots on the top. Also near the hop on and off bus stop.
Worth a visit.
After visiting The Mouth of Truth, checking out the 2 temples Hercules Victor & Portuno we came upon this amphitheatre. In the summer they house concerts here. My friend went to the cafe next door while I checked this place out.
The theatre really resembles a small Colosseum. I remember driving past this in 2012, but never getting to see it. Was happy to stumble upon it on our last day in Rome.
Take your time walking through this area as there are other ruins - you pass broken columns on the ground, some still standing and small temples or parts of structures.
There weren't many tourists around making it quite pleasant to investigate, read the signs [English & Italian] and take some photos.
If you keep walking you will end up at the bottom of the Palatine ruins and the side of the war memorial with the horse and chariots on the top. Also near the hop on and off bus stop.
Worth a visit.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deanosaur89
Edmonton, Canada8,617 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
This area is less popular than the Forum and Colosseum but is very close by. There are signs in the area explaining what each feature is or the historical significance and many have been excavated in the last century it seems. The theatre can be visited during the day but we enjoyed our nighttime view. It is kind of funny that people live here with apartments built in and on top!
Written 28 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MarcusHurley
Calne, UK10,474 contributions
Feb 2023
This is a lovely little area with several archeological sites nearby - Temple of Hercules Victor, Temple of Portuna, Marcello Theatre and the Portico of Octavia - all within 5 minutes walk of the Capitoline Hill.
The theatre is a typical Roman freestanding building, rather than being built into a hillside. Built in the Roman Republic it has had a varied life including being a fortress and housing project. Enough is left to get an idea of the splendour of the original and there are good information boards around with images of what the building originally looked like. Well worth a 10 minute wander away from the chaos of the main attractions.
The theatre is a typical Roman freestanding building, rather than being built into a hillside. Built in the Roman Republic it has had a varied life including being a fortress and housing project. Enough is left to get an idea of the splendour of the original and there are good information boards around with images of what the building originally looked like. Well worth a 10 minute wander away from the chaos of the main attractions.
Written 10 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China174,748 contributions
Mar 2024 • Family
Theatre of Marcellus (Teatro di Marcello) is an ancient open-air theatre located along Via D. Teatro di Marcello. Originally constructed by Emperor Augustus around 12 AD, the theatre would have had capacity of around 15,000+, making it the largest open-air venue in Ancient Rome until the Roman Colosseum was constructed around 70 years later.
You can enter the grounds of Portico di Octavio just beside Teatro di Marcello from 9am to 7pm daily to see the theatre up close. However, you can view and take nice photos directly from the street without entering the park and ruin grounds. Pass by in the evening if you want to see Teatro di Marcello hit with floodlights after dark. It is a interesting ancient Roman structure and fun opportunity to contemplate, especially when considering the colossal size of the similar but younger Colosseum.
You can enter the grounds of Portico di Octavio just beside Teatro di Marcello from 9am to 7pm daily to see the theatre up close. However, you can view and take nice photos directly from the street without entering the park and ruin grounds. Pass by in the evening if you want to see Teatro di Marcello hit with floodlights after dark. It is a interesting ancient Roman structure and fun opportunity to contemplate, especially when considering the colossal size of the similar but younger Colosseum.
Written 20 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KatrinaMolini
Corciano, Italy11,082 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
Initially, featuring a diameter of 111 m, Teatro di Marcello was considered the largest and an extremely essential theater in ancient Rome. Originally, the theater had a seating capacity of 11,000-20,000 spectators. Still in good condition it’s a beautiful sight worth going out of your way for.
Written 20 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve Buckley
London, UK8,891 contributions
Jan 2023
My wife and myself are currently holidaying in Rome staying at the Romanico Palace Hotel (Rewiew to follow) and earlier today en route from the No 5 Hop On/Off Bus Stop to the Jewish Quarter we came across the Teotro di Marcella.
This was an unexpected delight as it is not only an impressive building but there were relatively few other people at the site. Well worth seeing if you find yourself in the vicinity.
This was an unexpected delight as it is not only an impressive building but there were relatively few other people at the site. Well worth seeing if you find yourself in the vicinity.
Written 20 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans
Kwadendamme, The Netherlands4,184 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
The theatre was built for a nephew of emperor Augustus, named Marcellus. A bit funny though that people are actually living in and on the theatre. You can walk around it and have a look at the remains of more ancient Roman building structures.
Written 28 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrMrsHappyR
Liverpool, UK1,443 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Quite spectacular ruins of an old Roman theatre still in really good condition. It's free to enter and walk around. Apparently in summer season they have shows and events on.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,626 contributions
Jun 2018 • Friends
After seeing Rome’s Colosseum, from the exterior, I thought this was a smaller version. But no, this was used as an open-air theatre. Much fewer sightseers were at this location than at many of the others we visited. Well worth visiting.
Written 5 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,166 contributions
Jun 2022
This ancient Colosseum-like theatre is part of a small archaeological site with several other ruins.
The area is not unlike some of the Roman Forum but is not as well known and is only a tiny fraction of the size.
Unlike the Forum, entry is free and the ruins are supported with excellent signage. All the signs for this archaeological area are really, really good. There’s a large panel with information, photos and diagrams for each structure.
Despite the name, it was not Marcellus who built the theatre. This was Julius Caesar’s project. He planned it and cleared the land for it but was murdered before construction began. The Emperor Augustus took it over, completing it in 13 BC and naming it after his nephew and son-in-law, Marcus Marcellus.
Marcellus had a bright future in front of him. He was being groomed as Augustus’ successor when a deadly disease swept through Rome. Augustus survived it but Marcellus died, aged just 20.
The theatre was built mainly of tuff and concrete which is what we can see here now. What we can’t see any more is the brilliant white travertine marble facade that once covered the facade.
At least 15,000 people could fit in here to see performances and dramas. That’s more than three times London’s Royal Albert Hall and almost four times New York’s Carnegie Hall. At the time, it was the largest theatre ever built in the Roman Empire.
Most of the three stories are still visible. The bottom row of arches were entry and exit gates. You can walk around these.
The second story row of arches is also intact. These arches originally held statues which of course vanished centuries ago. The third level is only partially visible and collapsed during the Middle Ages.
It is incredible that so much has remained intact but perhaps that is because it has often been in use in one way or another. In the middle ages, it served as a fortress. In 1525 the top level was rebuilt as a mansion then converted into apartments in modern times. About a third of the walls provide substructure for adjoining buildings which has also helped to preserve it.
The theatre is only visible from the outside. Entry is free.
The area is not unlike some of the Roman Forum but is not as well known and is only a tiny fraction of the size.
Unlike the Forum, entry is free and the ruins are supported with excellent signage. All the signs for this archaeological area are really, really good. There’s a large panel with information, photos and diagrams for each structure.
Despite the name, it was not Marcellus who built the theatre. This was Julius Caesar’s project. He planned it and cleared the land for it but was murdered before construction began. The Emperor Augustus took it over, completing it in 13 BC and naming it after his nephew and son-in-law, Marcus Marcellus.
Marcellus had a bright future in front of him. He was being groomed as Augustus’ successor when a deadly disease swept through Rome. Augustus survived it but Marcellus died, aged just 20.
The theatre was built mainly of tuff and concrete which is what we can see here now. What we can’t see any more is the brilliant white travertine marble facade that once covered the facade.
At least 15,000 people could fit in here to see performances and dramas. That’s more than three times London’s Royal Albert Hall and almost four times New York’s Carnegie Hall. At the time, it was the largest theatre ever built in the Roman Empire.
Most of the three stories are still visible. The bottom row of arches were entry and exit gates. You can walk around these.
The second story row of arches is also intact. These arches originally held statues which of course vanished centuries ago. The third level is only partially visible and collapsed during the Middle Ages.
It is incredible that so much has remained intact but perhaps that is because it has often been in use in one way or another. In the middle ages, it served as a fortress. In 1525 the top level was rebuilt as a mansion then converted into apartments in modern times. About a third of the walls provide substructure for adjoining buildings which has also helped to preserve it.
The theatre is only visible from the outside. Entry is free.
Written 7 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Is there a music concert in the roman ruins in Rome between the 26th of June to the 1st of July 2024?
Written 3 June 2024
I’ve only seen the theatre during the day but I believe that they do have concerts. I’ve not been to any here so I don’t have any personal knowledge of them.
However I can see concerts advertised online. There seems to be one held each night at 6:30pm, from 28th June onwards.
The event is called ‘Concerti del Tempietto: Roman Nights at Marcello's Theatre’.
I also found a Tripadvisor review (albeit a very old one) of the concerts. Interestingly the reviewer says that the concert he attended was held at the site of the theatre, not inside the theatre itself. If this is something that is important to you, you might want to check on it before booking
Written 4 June 2024
How often are the classical music concerts (Concerti del Tempietto)?
From what I’ve read, they are mainly summer concerts. Seems like this is the concert website: tempietto . it
But it only has the schedule through May currently and it seems like concerts mainly happen on the last Sunday of each month with a few exceptions.
I’m planning to visit in early October—anyone know if I can expect a concert then?
Written 28 January 2023
From my recent visit, I suspect this would be a Summer Programme but suggest you contact the Italian Tourist Office for confirmation so that you can plan accordingly.
Written 28 January 2023
Is this on any of the tour bus routes? If so which one? Thanks
Written 28 October 2019
I found it on my own and I thought it unusual that it wasn’t very popular. I really don’t know if it’s on a bus tour route, but I think it’s only open to the public once per year. Good luck!
Written 28 October 2019
I understand that concerts are held there during summer.
As the concerts are held outdoors can anyone point me to their wet weather policy? I can’t find it on their website.
Written 6 November 2018
The wet weather policy is not clear nor is any alternative venue during wet weather.
We happened to have tickets the night a thunder storm rolled in. The gates were locked and no alternative venue suggested.
When I questioned the organisers I was told the event went ahead, yet on the night If the concert I have photos of the locked gate and the venue was silent. So clearly it was held at another venue but this was not clear at all on the night of the concert. Which happened to be a (somewhat unfulfilled) birthday gift.
Written 23 July 2019
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing