Odeon Theatre | Amman

Information

Landmark: Odeon Theatre
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Odeon Theatre, Amman, Jordan, Asia

The Odeon is a small, well-preserved Roman theater located in the heart of downtown Amman, situated at the eastern end of the Hashemite Plaza, adjacent to the much larger Roman Theatre.

Visual Characteristics

The Odeon is characterized by its intimate scale and semicircular seating area built from local limestone. Unlike the larger theater, which is carved into a hillside, the Odeon is a freestanding structure. It features a high back wall (scaenae frons) with arched entrances and niches that once held statues. The seating is divided into two tiers, and the architectural style is a classic example of 2nd-century Roman provincial design.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Hashemite Plaza, Al-Hashimi Street, Amman.

Access: Located within the same archaeological park as the Roman Theatre. It is easily accessible on foot from the downtown Balad district.

Entry: Entry is usually included with the ticket for the Roman Theatre or the Jordan Pass.

Seating Capacity: Approximately 500 people.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Built in the 2nd century AD (likely during the reign of Antoninus Pius), the Odeon was primarily used for musical performances, poetry recitals, and city council meetings rather than large-scale dramas. Historically, it was likely covered by a wooden roof or a temporary canvas awning (velarium) to improve acoustics and provide shade, a feature that distinguished it from the open-air Great Theatre.

Key Highlights & Activities

Intimate Performances: Still used today for acoustic concerts, lectures, and small-scale cultural festivals.

Architectural Detail: The side entrances (parodoi) and the stage area are remarkably intact, allowing visitors to see the structural engineering of Roman public buildings.

Hashemite Plaza: The theater opens directly onto the plaza, which serves as a vibrant public gathering space for locals and tourists.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The Odeon is part of the managed archaeological zone of the city center. Public restrooms and cafes are available in the immediate vicinity of the Hashemite Plaza. The site is relatively flat and more accessible for mobility-impaired visitors than the steep steps of the Roman Theatre.

Best Time to Visit

Late afternoon is the best time for photography, as the setting sun highlights the texture of the limestone and the shadows within the arched niches. It is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00.

Facts & Legends

A verified architectural fact is that the Odeon was intentionally built smaller than the Roman Theatre to serve as a "Bouleuterion"-a meeting place for the city's senate. Legend suggests that the Odeon and the Roman Theatre were once part of a much larger grand forum that covered the entire area now occupied by the Hashemite Plaza.