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Syrian Media Centre: Busra is mentioned in Egyptian records as early as 1300BC (as Busrana). It became widely acknowledged when the Romans annexed the entire region surrounding Busra and renamed it Nova Trajana Bostra in the 1st century AD. Busra became the Province of Arabia and accommodated a garrison for a Roman legion. Later in the Roman rule the town was raised to the status of ‘metropolis’ when local-boy Philip became emperor of Rome (AD 244-249).
In the Byzantine era, Busra had a primate of 33 priests and in the 6th century AD the biggest cathedral in the region was built here. When the city fell to the Muslims in 634, tradition says that a young Mohammad was passing through the town with his merchant uncle’s caravans when he met a wise Nestorian monk named Boheira. It is said that the boy engaged the monk in advanced theological discussion and on recognising the greatness that lay ahead for the boy, Boheira predicted that he would become the Prophet.
The Ayyubids held off two attacks by the Crusaders in the 12th century and decided to fortify the old Roman theatre to protect for further attacks; transforming it into a citadel. It remained popular with pilgrims throughout the middle Ages due to its position on the pilgrimage route and the legend of Mohammad and the monk.
SIGHTS
ROMAN AMPHITHEATRE AND CITADEL:
Built in the early 2nd Century AD, this Roman amphitheatre is a rare beauty. Fortified on the exterior, the dark halls reveal the sunlit semicircle which once seated 15,000 people. The theatre is freestanding, not built into the side of a hill as many were. The city f Busra was built around this magnificent structure.
The fortifications around the theatre were built in stages. Started by the Umayyads and the Abbasids, additions were later made in the 13th century by the Ayyubids, who completed a ring of eight towers, connected by thick walls.
In modern times, the theatre and indeed the town of Busra is at its most vibrant during the Busra Festival, when there are concerts and plays performed there.
OLD TOWN (MEDINA):
Besides the theatre, there are many fascinating attractions to visit in the old town. Covering an area of approximately 1km, one can easily walk around and view an array of Roman era structures.
Bab al-Qandil (Gate of the Lantern) is a massive arch with 2 smaller arches inlaid into its structure on either side. It dates from the 3rd century AD and the inscription on one pillar dedicates it to the Third Legion, who were once garrisoned here.
It is still possible to have an idea of what the public baths once looked like. The building is in disarray, but one can still appreciate the large octagonal entrance room, which leads into the frigidarium (cold room), which leads into the tepidarium (warm room), which is betwixt two calidariums (hot rooms) on either side.
The mosque of Omar is still in use today as Busra’s main mosque and madrassa. It was allegedly built by Caliph Omar, under whose leadership Syria was conquered in 636 AD. If this is true it would make it one of the oldest mosques in the world. However, historians claim that it is more likely that the mosque dates from the 12th or 13th centuries; making it from the Ayyubid era.
South of the monastery where Mohammad met Boheira the monk there is the cathedral (c 512), which has only the nave and antechambers still standing, with religious inscriptions discernable on other stones lying around the area.
Further south from here one can see the Nabataean arch and column. The column marks the edge of the Roman city and it is suspected by archaeologists that a Nabataean palace lies east of the arch.
What has been discovered is another Roman palace to the south, beyond which is a massive Roman reservoir , 120m x 150m: the Birket al-Haj (Pool of the Pilgrimage). This illustrates how Busra was a popular point of call for pilgrims throughout many centuries.
TRAVEL
Busra is a two hour trip from Damascus by coach bus. There is also an option to take a coach bus to Der’a (1.5 hours) and change there to a microbus to Sharia Ghasesena (30 miuntes).
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