Ancient City of Bosra

Ancient City of Bosra

The Ancient City of Bosra is an ancient urban ruin located in Syria. The entire city exudes a desolate atmosphere, which may be the unique aura of an ancient city. The Ancient City of Bosra is a representative structure of Mesopotamian civilization and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980 based on cultural heritage selection criteria.

The Ancient City of Bosra is situated between the Mediterranean Sea and Mesopotamia. The landscape of this region is distinct from the harsh desert environment or the fertile plains. It lies at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and served as an important resting place for merchant caravans traveling from Arabia through Nabataea (with Petra as its renowned capital) to Syria. Bosra was also located along the pilgrimage route to Mecca. Among the most magnificent structures in the Ancient City of Bosra are the well-preserved Roman theater built in the 2nd century AD; its design and planning not only influenced Christian architecture but also had a certain impact on Islamic architecture, such as the Cathedral of Bosra (built in 513 AD) and the Omar Mosque (1st century AH), one of the few surviving buildings from the early Islamic period in Bosra’s history.