Greek archaeologists have unearthed a major part of the ancient theatre of Thouria on the outskirts of the city of Kalamata, in the Peloponnese, the Greek Culture Ministry has announced.

The first remains of the theatre, which date back to the 4th century B.C., came to light during excavations in the summer of 2016.

During this summer’s excavations, archaeologists revealed the perimeter of the theatre’s orchestra and several rows of stone seats in excellent condition.

The site, so far excavated, is 51.25 metres long and 22.8 metres wide.

The excavation of ancient Thouria started 10 years ago. The site had been identified by epigraphic finds that mention the name of the ancient city, and references made by ancient Greek geographers, Pausanias and Strabo.

Thouria’s theatre is oriented to the west, overlooking the vast fertile plain of Messinia, known in the antiquity as ‘Makaria’ (Blessed), and in the distance, to the southwest, the sea of the Messinian Gulf.