Over hundred workers and an expert team of 15 archaeologists and restorers are working at the archeological site Skupi, located in the vicinity of Skopje. Skupi spreads on an area of 25,000 square meters, making it the biggest ancient site in Macedonia, which is to be restored and reconstructed by 2017, Utrinski Vesnik daily reports.
The second phase of the research began over a month ago. Last year, the Ministry of Culture, the institution that funds the excavations and conservation, said the restoration would offer conditions for hosting cultural events at the theatre with over 9,000 seats for spectators.
This Roman theatre dates back to 120 - 150 A.D., during the reign of the Roman emperors Hadrian and Antoninus Pius.
The Museum of the City of Skopje and the Faculty of Philosophy are excavating, exploring, conserving and restoring the theatre, so as to make it suitable for public use.
"Teams have worked at this Roman theatre on several occasions. Initial archaeological excavations were conducted in 1927. Works continued in 1935 and 1937, led by Nikola Vulic. The following excavations were done between 1959-1950, when the works were halted," Antonio Jakimovski, project manager says.
Viewing the area from above offers a sense of excitement, a feeling one gets only when attending outdoor performances at ancient theaters and sites, like the ones in Stobi, Heraklea and Ohrid.
The project is planned to be finalized by 2017.
"By then, the theatre will become Skopje's cultural hub," Antonio Jakimovski says.
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