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Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe with more than 8,000 years of history. It was founded by King Philip - the father of Alexander the Macedonian and originally bore the name Philippopolis. Undoubtedly the most emblematic monument is the ancient Roman theater.

Greater economic and political importance during the Hellenistic era led Philippopolis to the need to have such a theater. Besides the rich architecture of importance was and its location. So it was built one of the most successful theaters in the province of Thrace.

Philippopolis was repeatedly subjected to natural disasters and devastation and the Theater has been hidden for centuries beneath the earth.

The ancient theater was built by Roman Emperor Trajan in II century. It is built in a natural saddle between Djambaz Tepe and Taksim Tepe and was one of the most important public buildings of Trimontium, remarkable for its architectural and splendor. Decomposed into two ranks from fourteen rows of seats separated by a horizontal path (diazoma), the ancient theater could accommodate over 5000 spectators. The stage was decorated with friezes, cornices and statues. The theater has several preserved stelae and wall inscriptions in Greek. Both ranks are separated by wide horizontal path. Side of the stage rises two-storey building called the skene, with side wings. There are found exquisite inscriptions and statues that are now included in the architecture of the building. The marble decoration is of two types of marble - marble entablature and local, of which the seats were made. It is believed that the theater was built on the old sanctuary of the Thracian goddess Bendis.

At the end of the IVth century much of the theater was destroyed - by fire or earthquake, but thanks to its restoration, it is preserved in its present form. It was discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in 1968-79 year from the Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv. 20 of the 28 lines of the theater survived. Local people incorrectly call it the "Amphitheatre".

Included within the architectural reserve "Old Town", the theater entered its ensemble as the most emblematic monument of cultural and historical continuity. The theater is located in the Old Town, near the Music Academy. Plovdiv hardly would be the same without this architectural value, which is the most remarkable monument of antiquity in Bulgaria.