Orange Theater

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Theater and “Arc de Triomphe” of Orange
UNESCO world heritage UNESCO World Heritage Emblem

Theater Orange.jpg
Orange Theater
National territory: FranceFrance France
Type: Culture
Criteria : (iii) (vi)
Surface: 9.45 ha
Buffer zone: 232 ha
Reference No .: 163bis
UNESCO region : Europe and North America
History of enrollment
Enrollment: 1981  ( session 5 )
Extension: 2007

The Orange Theater, an ancient Roman theater in southeastern France, was built in the 1st century AD. It is owned by the municipality of Orange and hosts the Chorégies d'Orange opera festival in the summer.

It is considered to be one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the 40 BC. Arausio , a Roman colony founded in the 4th century BC . The theater played a major role in the lives of the residents, who often spent their free time there. The Roman rulers saw in him not only a tool that helped to spread Roman culture in the colonies, but also a means to distract the population from political activities. Pantomime and poetry readings , mostly all day long, were the predominant forms of entertainment. Splendid stage sets were built for the audience, who were inspired by the elaborate effects. The games were open to everyone and free.

When the Roman Empire crumbled in the 4th century and Christianity spread, the theater was closed by official decree by the Church in 391 AD. It was completely abandoned and looted by the barbarians . It was a defensive post during the Middle Ages . In the 16th century, at the time of the Wars of Religion , it was used as a refuge by the townspeople. During a visit, Louis XIV described the stage facade as the most beautiful wall of his kingdom ("C'est la plus belle muraille de mon royaume"). During the French Revolution , it served as a prison where opponents of the revolution were trapped under unworthy conditions. In 1824 extensive renovation work began under the direction of the architect Auguste Caristie . Since 1869, regular performances and concerts have taken place in the "antique" theater, including the Chorégies d'Orange opera festival.

It is believed that the theater had around 10,000 seats during Roman times. Today there is space for 7,000 people. Only the first three of the original rows of seats have been preserved.

In 1981 it was together with the Arch of Orange by the UNESCO for World Heritage declared.

Web links

Commons : Theater of Orange  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Coordinates: 44 ° 8 ′ 9 ″  N , 4 ° 48 ′ 32 ″  E