THE AMPHITHEATRE

How to get there. In the Rue des Façades, on the left.

Visit. Built at the very beginning of the 1st century, under the reign of Aretas IV, the theatre was directly carved in stone. Located in the heart of the necropolis, it shows that life in Petra was not limited to the worship of the gods or the dead. The hemicycle could originally accommodate 4,000 spectators. It was enlarged upwards by the Romans, who doubled its capacity. In the process, they cut out tombs, as shown by the gaping openings left on the back wall. The cavea (the tiers) faced east and was divided into three series of benches. The most important people sat in the lower part while the ordinary citizen took possession of the upper tiers. Only a few elements of the stage remain and it has been partly rebuilt. It had three entrances, one of which was in the middle and was reserved for the king (during political meetings) or the main actor (during cultural performances). The backdrop of the stage included columns (four remain), balconies and sculptures. Fragments of statues of the Greek gods Heracles, Hermes and Aphrodite were found during excavations at the site. The stage was separated from the audience by the orchestra, which sat on the terrace at the foot of the cavea. The structure is based on the elements of classical Roman theatres, but the drainage systems and masonry techniques are specific to Nabataean architecture.