The Theatre of Marcellus is an ancient Roman amphitheatre, parts of which are still conserved today, built by Emperor Augustus in the southern part of Campus Martius between the Tiber river and the Campidoglio.
Probably already completed by 17 BC, it was a grandiose construction, 130m in diameter. The semi-circular cavea was built on blocks of tuff rock, in reticulated and brick work, with steps in white marble. The exterior featured a travertine marble facade with a triple order, of which the two lower storeys are conserved today, featuring arches on pilasters with Doric and Ionian half columns.
Restored by Emperors Vespasian and Alexander Severus, it was still in use in the 4th century. With a strategic position rising over the river, it later became a fortress owned by the Pierleoni and later the Fabi families. The palace that exists today was built in the 1500s by Baldassarre Peruzzi for the Savelli family and bought by the Orsinis two centuries later. The lower part, which corresponds to the Roman structure, was bought in the 1930s by the Municipality of Rome, excavated and restored after radical clearing work liberated the area.
Roma Lazio Film Commission
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