# Citadel of Bosra

- **Country:** Syria
- **Coordinates:** 32.517778, 36.481667
- **Notes:** Built around a Roman theatre. Part of the Ancient City of Bosra World Heritage Site.
- **Condition:** Partially restored
- **Castle Type:** Castle

The Roman Theatre at Bosra, often referred to as the Citadel of Bosra due to its later integration into a fortress, is located in the ancient city of Bosra within the Daraa District of south-western Syria. Constructed from distinctive black basalt during the second century CE, likely under the reign of Emperor Trajan, this architectural marvel originally stood outside the town walls before being completely enclosed by an Ayyubid dynasty fortress between the 12th and 13th centuries. This unique transformation allowed the structure to serve as a strategic citadel guarding the road to Damascus, blending Roman engineering with medieval military necessity.

As one of the largest and best-preserved Roman theatres in existence, the structure spans 102 metres in width and once accommodated approximately 17,000 spectators, serving a bustling city of 80,000 inhabitants. Its remarkable state of preservation is partly attributed to centuries of accumulated sand that protected the interior until substantial restoration efforts were undertaken between 1947 and 1970. Today, the site remains publicly accessible and stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Roman Empire in the region, showcasing a rare fusion of theatrical design and defensive fortification.

However, the historical significance of the theatre has been threatened in recent decades by regional conflict. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage in Danger list in 2013, the site suffered damage during the Syrian Civil War due to nearby military activities, including the presence of snipers within its ancient walls. Despite these challenges, the theatre endures as a critical archaeological landmark, representing both the cultural height of ancient Bosra and the resilience required to preserve heritage amidst modern warfare.

![Photo of Citadel of Bosra](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Bosra-a01%28js%29.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_theatre_of_Bosra (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)