The Odeion
The Odeion
4.5
About
This small, enclosed theater was used for concerts as well as political events. The theater contained 23 tiered rows of seating in a semi-circular shape, which could accommodate up to 1450 spectators.
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4.5
260 reviews
Excellent
139
Very good
105
Average
16
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Jason S
Melbourne, Australia2,185 contributions
Dec 2022 • Solo
Small amphitheater near the entrance, really well preserved with amazing detail.
Being small gets very crowed much bigger amphitheater further down the road that’s much better to explore, but still great to see sit down and admire what was built all those years ago.
Make sure you take the time to enjoy this piece of history of the ancient city.
Being small gets very crowed much bigger amphitheater further down the road that’s much better to explore, but still great to see sit down and admire what was built all those years ago.
Make sure you take the time to enjoy this piece of history of the ancient city.
Written 3 July 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.
Thomas V
Oakland, CA17,757 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
This is an outdoor theater near one of the entrances. We attended an evening concert here and the experience was sublime. Outside the theater you will find some portions of pillars, and we were served cocktails there before the show. The lights of the theater illuminated the hillsides. Seating was somewhat uncomfortable because everything is stone. You need a cushion.
Written 20 May 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.
zuv
Bucharest, Romania37,229 contributions
Aug 2020
A small ancient theater that has the misfortune to be located just 500m from another one, much larger and more impressive. It is the first interesting objective, if you enter the site through the north gate. Interesting fact: in that ancient times it has a wooden roof.
Written 23 September 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.
arpad_loboda
Subotica, Serbia278 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
The Odeion was used as a sort of courthouse and a place to discuss politics and issues, not as a theater. Much smaller than the great amphitheater but still a nice building in great condition.
Written 5 August 2013
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.
Carol A S
Marietta, GA4,153 contributions
Apr 2019
The Odeion of Ancient Ephesus is a small theater about 150m east of Hercules Gate. Construction in 150 A.D. was financed by a wealthy citizen named Publius Vedius Antonius and his wife FlaviaPapiana. The Odeion was built into the hillside in a semi-circular shape, with 23 tiers of seats, accommodating 1450 spectators. There are three main sections: the cavea (auditorium), the orchestra (place of action for the actors) and the skene (the stage building). The semi-circular cavea is divided in two by a diazoma (horizontal passage separating the rows of seats) in the center. The marble seats are well crafted. The skene probably had two-stories with a narrow marble podium in front. The orchestra is semi-circular; the lack of gutters (for rain water) indicates that the Odeion was roofed. There were five entrances (in the front of the theater and along the street to the State Agora), and the facade was adorned with pillars. The Odeion was used for political meetings (bouleuterion), social events, concerts and theatrical performances. This theater is one of many ruins in Ephesus which is a UNESCO World heritage Site. The ruins are popular, so visiting early or late in the day helps avoid crowds. Sturdy shoes, water and a hat are recommended, as walking surfaces are uneven, and there is little shade. The Ephesus site is open Apr-Oct: 8am-7.30pm, and closes at 5.30pm Nov-Mar. There is an entry fee of ₺60 for adults; children are free. Parking is 10₺.
Written 23 November 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.
Karen K
United States82 contributions
Sept 2019
The Odeion, a small theater with a stage, seating and an orchestra, had a double function. It was used for Senate meetings and as a concert hall. Constructed in the 2nd century A.D. by two wealthy citizens, it could seat 1,500 spectators. The members of the Senate were chosen from the aristocratic class and important decisions and city matters were discussed here. If you have time, you can walk into the Odeion and sit on the stone seats.
Written 27 October 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.
Mina P
Inverkip, UK7,908 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
In very good condition. It was built in 150 A.D., financed by a very wealthy citizen, Vedius Antonius. Odeion, as most of the ancient theatres, had a cavea (auditorium), an orchestra and a stage. It was the seat of the Council Chamber, a meeting place for the politicians (Vouleftirion) but theatrical performances took place there too. It was also used for concerts and special social events. No gutters for the rain water, were found. This means that this luxurious structure must have been roofed and consequently protected against any damage from the water.
Written 28 November 2013
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.
davidgoldberg1
Toronto, Canada460 contributions
Oct 2013 • Couples
Yet another 2nd Cent. building to which Time and the Elements were not kind. It still displays enough to bring a lump to your throat, but see it before the Theatre, if you can, as it is dwarfed by the latter. In contrast to the 25,000 seating capacity of its rival, it held only 1,500 persons.Its most important function was political: it served as the home of the smaller and more elite ruling body that governed Ephesus, and in a way could be considered its Senate. The larger more plebeian assembly met in the Theatre. It was also the site of lectures and concerts, and unlike the Theatre, was roofed. It still is pretty large, with 23 tiers divided into upper and lower sections by a circumferential walkway, and 3 vertical staircases to carry participants up and down the levels. The 2-storey stage is presently strewn with fallen pillars and other bits of masonry. In any other setting, it would be a stand-out.
Written 30 October 2013
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.
Cheryll M
Greater Adelaide, Australia296 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
We started our tour from the top gate and worked our way down the hill. Not far from the gate is The Odeon, a small theatre where the advisory council held their meetings to decide on important issues. Our guide mentioned that concerts have also be held there and we recently saw the movie "The Ghost Rider" with Nicholas Cage which was partly shot there.
Written 24 October 2013
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.
purplesea
istanbul4 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
We visited Odeon for the purpose of story teller. We had a great time there in such a ancient ambiance.Recommended.
Written 6 September 2017
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.
We will be visiting the Odeon with Azamara as well, do they provide seat cushions? Was it comfortable enough to sit through a concert?
Written 23 June 2019
Seats are made in stone so they are not super comfortable if you are planning to seat there for a long time. For special events I am not sure they provide them.
Written 24 June 2019
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