North Theatre | Jerash

Information

Landmark: North Theatre
City: Jerash
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

North Theatre, Jerash, Jordan, Asia

The North Theatre is a 2nd-century Roman performance and civic venue situated in the northern sector of the ancient city of Gerasa, Jerash. It is positioned adjacent to the North Decumanus, serving as a secondary assembly point to the larger South Theatre.

Visual Characteristics

The structure is composed of local yellow limestone and features a two-tiered auditorium with 14 rows in the lower cavea. Eight vaulted vomitoria provide access to the seating area, which is centered around a semi-circular orchestra paved with multicolored marble. The scaenae frons or stage backdrop contains two stories of niches originally framed by Corinthian columns and decorative pediments.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located at the northern terminus of the Cardo Maximus within the Jerash Archaeological Park, approximately 51km north of Amman. Access is via the main Visitor Center at the South Gate, requiring a 1.2km walk north through the Oval Plaza and along the main colonnaded street. Public buses from Amman’s Tabarbour Station stop at the Jerash terminal, 1km from the park entrance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Initial construction was completed around 165 CE during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, originally serving as an odeion for musical performances and city council meetings. In 235 CE, the theatre was expanded to its current capacity of 1,600 spectators to accommodate larger civic gatherings. The building is integrated into the natural limestone topography of the Decapolis region.

Key Highlights & Activities

Walking the limestone rows allows for an inspection of Greek inscriptions carved into the seats, which designated blocks for specific city tribes or guilds. The orchestra area is frequently used for acoustic demonstrations due to the reflective properties of the stone walls. Visitors can transit through the original vaulted tunnels used by Roman spectators.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no restrooms or permanent shade structures within the North Theatre itself; facilities are located 0.8km south near the South Gate. Cellular signal (4G/5G) is stable across the open-air seating area. Drinking water and food vendors are restricted to the market area outside the Archaeological Park boundaries.

Best Time to Visit

Optimal lighting for architectural photography occurs between 08:00 and 10:00 when the sun illuminates the stage facade. The months of March through May offer the most temperate climate for the walk across the exposed site. High-noon visits should be avoided due to the lack of overhead cover and heat radiation from the stone.

Facts & Legends

The theatre contains precise seating inscriptions that indicate it functioned as a bouleuterion, or city council chamber, with specific areas reserved for the "Phylai" (tribes) of Gerasa. A local engineering oddity is the drainage system carved into the orchestra floor, which remains functional and prevents flooding during winter rains.