Jerash

Jerash is one of the best-preserved Roman provincial cities in the world, a remarkably intact ancient city in the green hills of northern Jordan. Its spectacular remains include a grand oval colonnaded plaza, long paved streets lined with columns still bearing the ruts of chariots, temples to Zeus and Artemis, two theatres and triumphal arches, offering an extraordinarily vivid sense of walking through a living city of the Roman East.

History

The earliest settlement is a Neolithic site, Tal Abu Sowan, with rare human remains of around 7500 BC. As Gerasa the city flourished in Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine times, when it was one of the cities of the Decapolis and an important early Christian centre (Wikipedia, Jerash).

The main sights

• The Oval Plaza - the grand oval colonnaded forum.
• The colonnaded street - the long paved main street lined with columns.
• The temples and theatres - the temple of Artemis and the theatres.
• Hadrian's Arch - the triumphal arch at the city's entrance.

When to go

Spring and autumn for the mildest weather, as summer is hot and the site exposed; go early or late to avoid the heat. The Jerash Festival in summer brings performances to the ancient theatres.

Good to know

It is large and exposed with little shade, so go early or late in the heat and bring water and sun protection. It is an easy half-day trip from Amman, often combined with the castle of Ajloun nearby. It takes some imagination, or a guide, to fully picture the Roman city, but the scale and preservation are impressive.

Nearby

Amman is an hour south; the castle of Ajloun is nearby.