Archaeological excavations on the Ionian island of Lefkada have brought to light an undiscovered and sizeable ancient theatre, the culture minister announced on Wednesday.

The theatre was made on Koulmou hill toward the end of 2015. Test ‘sections’ were made in an area on the northeast flank of Koulmou’s middle hill, which forms an amphitheatrical downward hollow ending in a lengthy flat section, the ministry announcement said.

Archaeologists knew very little about the city’s ancient theatre, which was not mentioned in any ancient sources. Αrchaeological excavation carried out early 20th-century under the direction of German archaeologist Ε. Κrüger had recorded signs indicating the presence of an ancient theatre.

The Aitoloakarnania and Lefkada Antiquities Ephorate dug sections in 13 places, which confirmed the existence of the theatre and uncovered rows of seats, parts of the orchestra and some of the retaining walls for the stage and other parts of the theatre.

The ministry said that six sections revealed seats carved from the rock, about 0.73 to 0.90 metres deep and 0.22-0.33 metres high. Others found the orchestra and a section of a wall in a quadrant plan, up to 0.6 metres across. The sections also found portions of retaining walls.

The culture ministry said excavation works will continue in order to reveal and protect the monument adding that the Lefkada Municipality and Ionian Islands Regional Authority have both supported the work.