The Roman Theater in Mainz is one of the largest known stage constructions from antiquity north of the Alps. It was probably built in the 1st century AD and was located on the southern slope of the Kästrich, below the present-day citadel.
With a stage width of about 42 meters and an auditorium with a diameter of 116 meters, it could accommodate around 10,000 people – an impressive dimension that underscores the importance of Mogontiacum, the Roman Mainz. Theaters like this were central places of public life in the Roman Empire and expressions of Roman urban culture.
After antiquity, traces of the theater largely fell into oblivion. The first indications of the building emerged as early as the 19th century, but its existence was only secured in the early 20th century. However, the systematic excavation of the area began significantly later. Today, the Roman Theater is partially visible and publicly accessible. Since 2006, the nearby train station has been named "Mainz – Roman Theater."
The theater is further integrated into the cityscape through guided tours, information offerings, and civic engagement – as an impressive relic from the time when Mainz was a significant garrison and administrative city of the Roman Empire.
