Press release: A great initiative to support the Ancient Theatre of Gythio “piggy bank.”

On Tuesday, 18 January 2022, DIAZOMA was delighted to welcome a wonderful initiative to support the Ancient Theatre of Gythio “piggy bank”.

For her name day, Mrs Aikaterini N. Koukoulommati invited her friends and relatives to donate a sum to the “piggy bank” of her beloved Ancient Theatre of Gythio in place of a personal gift.

As a result, the ancient theatre’s “piggy bank” has been bolstered by Mrs Aikaterini N. Koukoulommati and her relations, Nikos and Maria Koukoulommati, Christina Zikou, Anastasios Mylonas and Maria Kopsini.

This is a most touching gesture, a beautiful example of the love for our monuments and cultural heritage, as well as active citizen volunteerism. Mrs Koukoulommati hopes that her initiative will inspire others to take similar initiatives and motivate citizens to contribute to the promotion of monuments.

We would like to express our warmest thanks to Mrs Koukoulommati and her relatives and friends, Nikos and Maria Koukoulommati, Christina Zikou, Anastasios Mylonas and Maria Kopsini, for their contribution to the “piggy bank” of a great monument, the Ancient Theatre of Gythio.

A few words about the Ancient Theatre of Gythio:

The Ancient Theatre of Gythio is located on the eastern foothills of the butte of the ancient citadel, in the northern part of the modern settlement of Gythio. It dates back to Roman times (2nd century AD). In 1891, the monument was excavated by Andreas Skias. The whole theatre came to light only then, except for the rear part of the stage building.

The theatre was constructed with domestic off-white marble, except for the porous retaining walls in the northern and southern parts of the koilon (seating area). According to Skias, the koilon comprised twelve rows of seats without a diazoma (auditorium passage dividing the lower and upper rows of seats) and five vertical corridors.