The ancient city of Bosra

　　The ancient city of Bosra is a historic site 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 region’s scenery is distinctly different from the harsh desert environment or fertile plains. It lies at the crossroads of ancient trade routes and was an important resting place for merchant caravans traveling from Arabia through Nabataea (with Petra as its renowned capital) to Syria. Bosra also lies along the route to Mecca for pilgrimage. Among the most magnificent structures in the ancient city of Bosra are: the well-preserved Roman theater built in the 2nd century AD; architectural designs that influenced not only Christian buildings but also, to some extent, Islamic architecture—such as the Basilica of Bosra (built in 513 AD) and the Omar Mosque (from the first century of the Islamic calendar), one of the few surviving buildings in Bosra from the early Islamic period.