Jerash, Jordan: One of the Best-Preserved Roman Cities in the World
Jerash lies just an hour north of Amman, in the hills of northern Jordan. It is home to one of the largest and most complete Roman provincial cities outside Italy. In antiquity, people knew it as Gerasa. Moreover, it was one of the ten great cities of the Decapolis, a Roman network on the empire's eastern frontier. Today, its ruins remain remarkably intact.
Oval Plaza and the Cardo Maximus
Visitors enter through Hadrian's Arch, built to commemorate the Roman emperor's visit in 129 AD. Next comes the Oval Plaza, an unusual asymmetrical forum ringed by limestone columns. From here, the Cardo Maximus, Jerash's colonnaded main street, stretches for over 800 metres. Remarkably, its original paving still shows the ruts of ancient chariot wheels.
Temples and Theatres of Jerash
The Temple of Artemis honoured the city's patron goddess. It once stood among the most important religious sites in the Roman East. Even now, its towering columns dominate the skyline. Jerash also has two theatres, the South Theatre and the smaller North Theatre, and both are remarkably well preserved. In fact, the South Theatre still hosts performances. Its acoustics allow the topmost row to hear a whisper on stage.
A City Still Being Uncovered
Beyond the main monuments, Jerash includes bathhouses and a hippodrome once used for chariot racing. There is also a network of streets and churches added during the Byzantine era. Meanwhile, archaeological work continues, and teams are still excavating new sections of the ancient city.
Visiting Jerash, Jordan
- Getting there: Jerash is around 50 kilometres from Amman, or roughly an hour's drive. Therefore, it makes an easy day trip.
- Best time to visit: spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the largely unshaded site.
- What to bring: comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water – the ruins cover a large area.
- Time needed: allow at least two to three hours to see the site properly.
Jerash offers a striking counterpoint to Petra's rock-cut tombs. In short, it is a Roman city frozen in stone, standing much as it did nearly two thousand years ago.
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See it on our tour: The Wonders of Jordan Tour.