Ancient Theatre

The Ancient Theatre of Nessebar

In the heart of Nessebar's old peninsula, the former Greek and Roman Mesembria, survive the traces of an ancient theatre, testimony to the town's importance in the Greco-Roman world of the Black Sea. Set among medieval lanes and Byzantine churches, the remains recall that this settlement has a history reaching back nearly three millennia, founded by Greek colonists and later developed under Roman and Byzantine rule. It belongs to the ensemble of the old town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

What to see

Here you find the remnants of the ancient structure woven into the urban fabric: fragments of walls and architectural elements that evoke the former stage, where performances and community gatherings once took place. A visit blends naturally with exploring the peninsula's other treasures — the medieval stone-and-brick churches, the traditional timber-framed houses and the surviving fortifications. The entire old town is, in effect, an open-air museum.

Practical

You arrive on foot, strolling through the old town after crossing the entrance isthmus. Nessebar is easily reached from the Sunny Beach resort by frequent buses, or by car (car parks lie at the edge of the peninsula). The most pleasant time is morning or toward evening, away from peak tourist hours and the midday heat. Nearby stand the town's other monuments, terraces and fish restaurants. For precise historical detail and any conservation works, check the information on site.