The Roman theatre in Turkey with a remarkably preserved stage building and capacity of about 15,000 spectators is the Aspendos Theatre.
It was built at Aspendos in southern Anatolia during the 2nd century AD, generally associated with the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. A local Greek architect named Zenon designed it. Part of the auditorium rests against a hillside, while the remaining seating is supported by vaulted Roman construction.
The theatre’s scaenae frons, or elaborate stage façade, survives unusually intact. That preservation is one reason Aspendos is often described as among the best-preserved ancient theatres in the world. Its acoustics and structure remain impressive, and the venue still hosts performances, including the Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival.
The theatre was not an amphitheatre: its semicircular cavea faced a stage building rather than enclosing a central arena. Medieval Seljuk rulers repaired it, used it as a caravanserai, and later converted the stage building into a palace, helping explain its continued survival.