After visiting the Amman Citadel, I walked down toward the Roman Theatre — another fascinating ancient landmark in this part of the city. An event was being prepared on the premises and the entrance for tourists was closed, but I still managed to take a few photos from the stands.
History
The Roman Theatre of Amman was built during the reign of Antoninus Pius, who ruled from AD 138 to 161. His era is often considered a period of prosperity for the Roman Empire. Interestingly, at the age of 52, Antoninus Pius was adopted by Emperor Hadrian as the “best citizen.” I mentioned Hadrian earlier in my article about the Hadrian’s Gate in Antalya.
The theatre has long hosted — and still hosts — various events: theatrical performances, concerts and even sports competitions. Depending on the source, its capacity ranges from 4,000 to 6,000 spectators. Numbers may differ because the theatre visible today is not fully original but a restored structure.
Right next to it stands the Odeon — a smaller theatre built in the 2nd century as well. It was also used for performances and could seat around 500 people.
How to get there
As I mentioned above, I walked here from the Citadel — the walk took about 15 minutes. Along the way there were a few good viewpoints overlooking the theatre. I reached the Citadel itself by taxi. I ordered a car via the Careem app; the 10-kilometre ride cost 4.2 dinars.
When I arrived, I discovered that the ticket office was closed and security guards were not letting visitors inside. They explained that a corporate event was being prepared and suggested I come back another day. I was very disappointed, but I tried to explain that I had travelled a long way and it would be upsetting to miss one of the city’s main landmarks. After a brief conversation, the guards eventually agreed to let me in.
The entrance fee is 2 dinars for foreigners. I did not need to buy a ticket because I had a Jordan Pass, which includes admission to the theatre.
Next time, I’ll tell you about my visit to the Jordan Museum, located about a 30-minute walk from the theatre.
Enjoy your travels!
