Within the walls of Roman theaters, your imagination brings to life the poets who share their hearts, the gladiators who fight to the death, and the musicians who compose their songs in the arena where you are. Although now one of Lyon’s most recognizable features, Fourvière’s Roman theaters remained largely hidden until 1980, five years after the completion of the neighboring Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilizations.
Its beauty lies in the fusion of the rich history and contemporary architecture, ancient and modern culture, knowledge and research housed here. Unique theaters host the annual live performances of the Fourvière Nights summer festival.
Roman ruins revealed
Edouard Herriot, mayor of Lyon from 1904 to 1941, sparked the 46-year-old archaeological excavation of Fourvière’s sight. As the landing on the hillside continued, public squares, streets, houses and shops were revealed. Its design encompasses a central arrangement not found in other ancient venues, the Grand Theater and the Odeon.
These two ruined, semi-circular theaters are remnants of an important Roman political and religious city. This capital of Gaul was founded in 43 BC as Lugdunum. It is now known by the name of Lyon.
The great theater
The Grand Theater saw the rise of Roman history and held gladiatorial contests. Dedicated to, and probably built by, Augustus in 15 BC. C., the Grand Theater is the oldest theater of its kind in Gaul, comprising France, Belgium, western Switzerland, and parts of the Netherlands and Germany. Excavations completed in 1945 showed that what was believed to be an amphitheater was actually a complete theater.
The original design of the Grand Theater spanned 89 meters in diameter and had two levels with each level seating 4,500 audience members. Both an upper covered walkway and a lower walkway were later converted to create a third and fourth level of seating, with a capacity of 10,000 people.
The odeon
Although the Odeon is the smaller of Fourvière’s two theaters in sight, it is one of the largest known of its kind, rivaling the Odeon in Athens built by Herodicus Atticus between AD 161 and 174. In all of ancient Gaul region there is only one other Odeon, located in Vienne, 30 kilometers south of Lyon.
In the ancient empires of Greece and Rome, the Odeon theaters were smaller than the dramatic theaters and were often covered by a roof. Poets and musicians presented their original works to be judged and awarded by the public. Now called Odeum, the tradition continues in modern contemporary theaters and in concert halls used for musical or dramatic performances.
The Odeon of Lugdunum consisted of two floors, the first with a vaulted gallery 90 meters long and twenty meters wide decorated with a mosaic. The upper level supported a walkway supported by strong columns. The massive semicircular wall of the Odeon probably supported a wooden ceiling at the same time. This stone wall was visible before the excavation, as were the niches under the service stairs.
The museum of Gallo-Roman civilization
To the north of the Roman theaters is an architectural marvel that houses a remarkable collection of archaeological finds. The Museum of Gallo-Roman Civilization has focused on private and public life in Lugdunum since its founding in 43 BC. Until the primitive Christian era.
Objects, inscriptions, statues, coins and ceramics collected by Lyon scholars in the 16th century make up the museum’s collection entitled Five Centuries of Discovery. Other collections include the largest city in Gaul, Men and God, Games, an economic metropolis, and Artists and artisans.
As a special attraction, the museum offers workshops and events for children. Special moments are reserved for adults viewing the collections. Guided tours are available and the museum is handicap accessible. Find out more on the museum’s website.
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Edited by Mary Anne Evans
Kari Masson has a very colorful collection of stamps in her passport. She grew up in the Ivory Coast, studied in the UK, spent time with the Kenyan Maasai, camped in the Swedish tundra, worked at a health clinic in Senegal, and currently lives in Lyon, France with her husband. She draws on her experiences to write for travel, cross-cultural and expat-focused publications.
