Great Theatre of Nikopolis

Octavian founded Nikopolis ("City of Victory") after his win over Antony and Cleopatra at the Battle of Actium in 31 BC. The Great Theatre belonged to the city's first Augustan building programme and was extensively renovated in the 2nd century AD. It held about 8,000 spectators.

The theatre stands north of the walled city, near the stadium, in the area where the Actian Games were held in honour of Apollo. Much of its stone was taken over the centuries, but the high brick walls of the stage building and the curve of the seating are still clear from the road between Preveza and Filippiada.

After years of excavation and restoration, the theatre hosted an event again on 5 September 2022, for the first time in almost 2,000 years. The second phase of the restoration (€3.38 million) cleared the fill, repaired the lower seating and the retaining walls, and put temporary steel supports on the stage building. A third phase (€3.5 million), funded in April 2026, will restore the stage building and the orchestra, complete the seating, and add disabled access and drainage. Nikopolis is also preparing a bid for UNESCO World Heritage status.