Ancient Greeks staged plays here. Now, this theater is ready to reopen. Take a look

Ancient Greeks once crowded into a theater in Pleurona, seating themselves on stone slabs and awaiting on-stage entertainment.

The outdoor theater, carved into a hillside and overlooking a lagoon in western Greece, likely hosted numerous productions. Great epics, perhaps the Iliad and the Odyssey, might have been performed there.

Now, the old theater, partially restored to its former glory, is opening its doors once again, allowing guests a chance to revisit the past, according to an Aug. 30 news release from the Greek Ministry of Culture.

The theater, situated behind the ancient city walls, recently underwent a yearslong, million-dollar renovation, officials said.

The most extensive repairs were done to the stage, while internal walls, a gate and a staircase were also mended.

All of the restorations, partially financed by the European Regional Development Fund, were done in keeping with the authenticity of the storied structure, the release said.

Though the project is not expected to be completed until December, the theater’s grand reopening is scheduled to take place Aug. 31, officials said.

That evening, under the light of the full moon, officials will present the repairs, and Greek singer Foteini Darra will perform.

Singing in an ancient place is like going back into the womb that birthed us, Darra wrote in an Instagram post announcing the upcoming performance.

The theater is located in the municipality of Messolonghi, about 150 miles west of Athens.

Google Translate was used to translate a news release from the Ministry of Culture.

This story was originally published August 30, 2023 at 5:29 PM.