The Roman theatre is the single most impressive monument at Hierapolis, a steep semicircle of stone seating built into the hillside that once held around 12,000 spectators and survives in remarkable condition after careful restoration. What sets it apart is the elaborately carved stage building, the scaenae frons, decorated with friezes, columns and reliefs of gods and imperial scenes, much of which still stands several storeys high. Climbing to the upper rows rewards you with a commanding view straight down over the ruins, the white travertines and the plain far below, making it the best vantage point on the whole site and a favorite at golden hour. Built largely in the 2nd century AD under the emperors Hadrian and Septimius Severus, it is a short but steady uphill walk from the main street. Sit a while and picture the crowds; the acoustics still carry a voice from the stage to the top rows.
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