Recent events triggered by an earthquake in Croatia have serendipitously led to the discovery of ancient Roman theatres, according to officials. The Ministry of Culture and Media in Croatia released a statement back in April announcing this find in the city of Sisak.
During renovations of the City Hall in Sisak, the Roman theatre, or Odeon, was uncovered. Interestingly, the orchestra section of this theatre was located in the basement of the building.
A photo shared by the Ministry showcases fragments of an ancient structure beneath a glass floor, hinting at a semicircular orchestral design.
The Ministry described the architectural structure as apsidal, characterized by a semicircular or polygonal recess featuring “three parallel rows with an inner diameter of 20 meters.”
Moreover, it was noted that a more elaborate building with buttresses was constructed atop this original structure, leading to a call for further research in the courtyard of City Hall for deeper understanding.
This town hall, built in 1914, faced significant damage during the 2020 earthquake, prompting the renovation that revealed the Roman orchestra.
Authorities mentioned that the renovation restored several original elements, including the coloring, entrance design, and the main gable, while also bringing to light the original pavement at the City Hall entrance.
This discovery was celebrated as “exceptionally valuable,” shedding light on the historical significance of ancient cities and providing insights into the urban layout of ancient Sisak.
The City Hall, now fully renovated with funding from the Ministry of Culture and Media post-earthquake, is part of a series of recent archaeological finds across Europe. For instance, in Germany, a large number of horse skeletal remains were found near Stuttgart, while Italian archaeologists uncovered a tomb with gladiator inscriptions in March. These discoveries, perhaps, suggest that more ancient ruins await uncovering across the continent.
