Ancient theatre on Limnos opens after 2,500 years

The ancient theatre of Hephaistia, on the eastern Aegean island of Limnos, opens for the first time after 2,500 years on Aug. 11 with a performance of ancient Greek dramatist Sophocles' play "Oedipus the King" directed by Spyros Evangelatos.

The theatre has a seating capacity of 200 in its main area, while other 1,000 people can be seated outside where they will be able to watch the performance through a giant screen.

The ancient theatre of Hephaistia, the city of the ancient Greek god Hephaestus, underwent reconstruction in 2000-2004 and is regarded as one of the most important ancient Greek theatres dating back to the late 5th and early 4th century BC, while certain additions have been made in the Hellenistic and Roman Times.