Southern Theatre

What travelers say:

It is the largest and oldest of the three theaters of ancient Gerasa. Others are the North Theater and the one in Birketein, about 1.7 km north of the archaeological site. The South Theatre was built right next to the Sanctuary of Zeus on the west side of the same hill and may also have served cultic purposes. Although residents scavenged stones from here to build their homes until the 1950s, it remained remarkably well preserved. After extensive, though not always proper, restoration and reconstruction in various phases, the South Theatre, with its excellent acoustics, is used as a main venue for the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts. From the upper rows of seats there is a great view over the archaeological site.