The Roman Theater
The Roman theater, an amphitheater for cultural performances including drama and tragedy, is situated on the lower slopes of Mount Gerizim. It overlooks the historic city from the southern side, across from Caesarea Alley. Kashika Street runs above the theater on the southern side, while Ras Al-Ein Street is directly to the north. Residential houses border the theater on the east and west sides.
The theater was marked on the sixth-century Madaba mosaic map, though its exact location was not clearly indicated. In 1979, during infrastructure work by the Nablus Municipality on the upper street of the theater site, parts of the back wall were discovered, leading to further excavation.
Reflecting Nablus's prominence and grandeur during the Roman period, the theater illustrates the city's cultural and social dynamics of the time. The ongoing archaeological work from 1979 to 1986 revealed significant portions of the theater, including the bases of the lower stands, parts of the upper level, and the orchestra area with its tiled corridor. However, parts of the upper tiers and staging areas could not be excavated due to their location beneath an existing residential house. Many architectural elements were repurposed in subsequent eras for new constructions, and these stones are now found in various buildings throughout the old town.
As one of the largest theaters in the region, it could accommodate between 10,000 and 12,000 spectators. The theater's external diameter is approximately 110 meters, with an internal diameter of 55 meters. The seating was divided into 12 sections, each identified by Greek symbols denoting different social classes. Notable finds include stone seats with decorative dolphin motifs, intended for the elite.
The theater was built at the end of the first century and the beginning of the second century AD. During the Byzantine period, the orchestra area was repurposed as a water collection pool, indicating a cultural shift. The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has plans to restore and rehabilitate the theater.