Jerash
★ 4.8🇯🇴 JerashSuggested visit 2-3 hoursBest season March to May and September to November, with mild weather
Archaeological siteHistoric siteRoman ruins
Among the best-preserved Roman cities in the Middle East, with a long colonnade and a vast oval plaza.
Overview
About 48 kilometres north of Amman, Jerash is among the best-preserved Roman cities in the region. The oval plaza is some 90 metres across and ringed with columns, while the Cardo Maximus runs about 800 metres with wheel ruts still visible. Hadrian's Arch, the Temple of Artemis and two theatres survive, the south theatre still used for performances.
History
Developed from a Hellenistic settlement into a major Roman city from the 1st century BC as one of the Decapolis; it was abandoned after the earthquake of 749 and excavated from the 19th century.
Highlights
- •The oval plaza
- •The colonnaded street and its wheel ruts
- •Hadrian's Arch
- •The south theatre and Temple of Artemis
Practical tips
- •Little shade on site — bring water and sun protection
- •Summer midday is fierce; go early or late
Practical information
- Best time
- March-May, September-November
- Tickets
- About JOD 10 for foreign visitors, included in the Jordan Pass
- Opening hours
- 8:00-17:00 (longer in summer)
- Local food
- Jordanian grilled meat, hummus, knafeh
- Getting around
- About an hour by car from Amman, with regular buses too.
- Visa
- A visa is required, available on arrival or via the Jordan Pass.
Traveller reviews
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