Bosra

Yesterday we took a bus trip from Damascus to Bosra, the second most impressive Roman site in Syria after Palmyra. Two things were especially interesting. First, there is an incredibly well-preserved theater that could seat 6,000 people and have room for another 2000-3000 people standing. Made in the black rock, basalt, that is prevalent in the area it is quite different than any theater to be found in other Roman territories. Second, the Arabs captured Bosra during the Crusades and so amidst these Roman ruins you have mosques and Arab fortifications, which is quite a contrast. Most interesting of the Arab constructions was the Umar Mosque which dates somewhere between 636 and 720, making it one of the oldest mosques known to the world (and it is still in use!). The Arabs also turned the theater into a citadel so the exterior of the theater is covered by fortifications.