Classical Performances at the Greek Theatre of Syracuse

The ancient theatre that never stopped speaking

Located within the Neapolis Archaeological Park, just a short walk from the historic centre of Syracuse, stands one of the most extraordinary monuments of the Greek world: the Greek Theatre, carved into the rock of the Temenite hill in the 5th century BC. It is here that, every year between spring and early summer, the INDA Foundation (National Institute of Ancient Drama) stages the great tragedies and comedies of the classical repertoire, in what has become the longest-running and most prestigious ancient theatre festival in the world.

A tradition spanning over a century

The Classical Performances began in 1914, when, for the first time in the modern era, Aeschylus' Agamemnon echoed once again across the stone tiers. Since then, the festival has grown to become an absolute benchmark for actors, directors, and scholars worldwide. For any performer, gracing the stage of the Greek Theatre of Syracuse represents one of the highest honours in their career.

Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes under the Sicilian sky

Each season features a selection of titles from the great classical repertoire, entrusted to Italian and international directors who offer fresh, innovative interpretations. The tragedies of Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides alternate with the comedies of Aristophanes, in a continuous dialogue between the ancient and the contemporary. Performances take place at sunset and into the early evening, when the warm light of the Syracusan sky envelops the cavea, creating an atmosphere impossible to replicate in any other theatre.

An event of international reach

The INDA Season is not merely a cultural appointment for the city of Syracuse and its province; it is a phenomenon that attracts spectators from all over Italy and abroad, with attendance figures reaching hundreds of thousands each season. The festival is also increasingly committed to inclusion, offering accessibility paths for audiences with disabilities as well as translation and surtitling projects.

Why it's worth the trip

• Witnessing a Greek tragedy in the very place it was designed for, in a theatre 2,500 years old.
• Top-tier directors and performers from the Italian and international theatre scene.
• The unique experience of the sunset over the cavea, framed by Syracuse, Ortigia, and the sea.
• An opportunity to explore the Neapolis Archaeological Park, the Ear of Dionysius, and the entire south-eastern Sicily.