What is Jerash? The Pompeii of the East; a land of contrasts ranging from lush, fertile valleys to cold mountaintops; colonnaded streets, plazas, and ruined theaters; one of the best preserved and most important Roman cities in the East.
Jerash is all of these things and much more.
The ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa are the area's main attraction, though Jordan's Mediterranean climate certainly doesn't hurt.
What can you expect from the great city of Jerash? Expect spectacular ruins and a great sense of history.
Visitors to the city enter though Hadrian's Arch, which was built to commemorate the Emperor's visit to the city in AD129.
An auspicious way to begin your tour, to be sure.
From here, you can see sites like the Hippodrome, where citizens held sporting events and chariot races, the South Gate, and the Oval Plaza, which is surrounded by first century Ionic columns and is integral in the Jerash Festival.
A trip up a staircase leads to the precinct of the Temple of Zeus, which is accessible itself from another staircase.
Surrounding the Temple are 15 meter high Corinthian columns.
Any traveler has, at this point, had quite an education in Roman architecture already, but there is more.
Along the Cardo Maximus, or main street, which still bears the original stone and ruts from chariot wheels, are ornate Corinthians columns.
As you get closer to the marketplace, the ruined Macellum, the columns grow taller and more imposing.
Continuing along the Cardo Maximus, you come upon the Archeological Museum, the Umayyad Mosque, and the ornate gate of the Temple of Dionysus (rebuilt in the 4th Century as a Byzantine church).
Excavations are still currently being conducted at the Mosque.
Along with mosques and temples, there are four Byzantine churches in the area; St.
Damian has incredible floor mosaics and is worth a special visit.
What's next? The monumental fountain, or nymphaeum, the Temple of Artemis, the small theater, or Odeon, and more.
Columns guide you along, bringing you to yet more intriguing sites.
The Jerash Festival, which is held at the end of July and beginning of August each year offers the chance to see the city come alive.
For two weeks, local folklore dancers and international troupes converge on Jerash, and singers, musicians, poets, and artists take over the streets.
From symphonies and ballets to special acts and exhibitions for children, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Not only can you get a fascinating insight into the city, you can pick up some great handicrafts for souvenirs.
Jerash is a gem in Jordan; the memories of a visit will last a lifetime.
Jerash is all of these things and much more.
The ruins of the Greco-Roman city of Gerasa are the area's main attraction, though Jordan's Mediterranean climate certainly doesn't hurt.
What can you expect from the great city of Jerash? Expect spectacular ruins and a great sense of history.
Visitors to the city enter though Hadrian's Arch, which was built to commemorate the Emperor's visit to the city in AD129.
An auspicious way to begin your tour, to be sure.
From here, you can see sites like the Hippodrome, where citizens held sporting events and chariot races, the South Gate, and the Oval Plaza, which is surrounded by first century Ionic columns and is integral in the Jerash Festival.
A trip up a staircase leads to the precinct of the Temple of Zeus, which is accessible itself from another staircase.
Surrounding the Temple are 15 meter high Corinthian columns.
Any traveler has, at this point, had quite an education in Roman architecture already, but there is more.
Along the Cardo Maximus, or main street, which still bears the original stone and ruts from chariot wheels, are ornate Corinthians columns.
As you get closer to the marketplace, the ruined Macellum, the columns grow taller and more imposing.
Continuing along the Cardo Maximus, you come upon the Archeological Museum, the Umayyad Mosque, and the ornate gate of the Temple of Dionysus (rebuilt in the 4th Century as a Byzantine church).
Excavations are still currently being conducted at the Mosque.
Along with mosques and temples, there are four Byzantine churches in the area; St.
Damian has incredible floor mosaics and is worth a special visit.
What's next? The monumental fountain, or nymphaeum, the Temple of Artemis, the small theater, or Odeon, and more.
Columns guide you along, bringing you to yet more intriguing sites.
The Jerash Festival, which is held at the end of July and beginning of August each year offers the chance to see the city come alive.
For two weeks, local folklore dancers and international troupes converge on Jerash, and singers, musicians, poets, and artists take over the streets.
From symphonies and ballets to special acts and exhibitions for children, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Not only can you get a fascinating insight into the city, you can pick up some great handicrafts for souvenirs.
Jerash is a gem in Jordan; the memories of a visit will last a lifetime.
SHARE
