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The Roman theater in Bosra, is considered one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world. Built from black basalt stone, it can accommodate around 17,000 spectators, making it one of the largest theaters in the ancient world. During the Ayyubid period, it was transformed into a defensive fortress surrounded by walls and towers. It served as a cultural center in ancient times and later became a defensive site, eventually being used for artistic performances and festivals such as the Bosra International Festival.
In the 12th century, the Ayyubids integrated it into a fortress with seven towers to protect the pilgrimage route, becoming the heart of the Bosra citadel, which remained inhabited until the Ottoman era.
The theater is part of the Bosra site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980, and it demonstrates the continuity of its use throughout Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods.
