Ancient City of Bosra

The Ancient City of Bosra is a Roman and Byzantine-era urban centre in southern Syria, noted for its extensive basalt-built remains and a largely intact Roman theatre. It served as an important provincial capital in Roman times and later remained a significant regional settlement.

Key visible remains include a large, well-preserved Roman theatre, sections of city walls and gates, and street-level archaeological features constructed from local basalt. The theatre and surrounding monuments are principal attractions for visitors interested in Roman architecture and urban planning.

Bosra’s prominence began in the Roman period when it functioned as a provincial centre and continued through Byzantine times; many of the surviving stone monuments date to the 2nd century CE and later phases of urban development. The city is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional preservation of ancient urban fabric.

Located in the Daraa Governorate of southern Syria, the archaeological area lies within and immediately around the modern town of Bosra, set in a semi-arid plain.

• Roman provincial capital: The site was an important Roman provincial capital and contains extensive basalt-built monuments from the Roman and Byzantine periods.
• Accessibility: The theatre and other major structures are sited within the modern town of Bosra, making the archaeological remains immediately accessible from current urban streets.

What to See #

• Roman theatre: A large Roman theatre constructed in local black basalt, visible and largely intact within the city centre and noted for its state of preservation dating to the 2nd century CE.
• City remains and walls: Remains of city walls, gates and Roman-era streets that outline the plan of the ancient provincial centre and its urban layout.