Jerash (Gerasa)
جرش
One of the best-preserved Roman imperial cities outside Italy, known for its oval plaza, colonnaded avenue and grand theatres.
جرش, ancient Gerasa, lies about 50 km north of Amman. It was one of the Decapolis, the league of ten Roman cities in the eastern empire. Long buried under sand, it survived in remarkable condition and is often called 'the Pompeii of the Middle East'. Entering through the South Gate, you pass in turn: Hadrian's Arch, built to welcome Emperor Hadrian; the hippodrome for chariot races; the distinctive oval plaza surrounded by 56 Ionic columns; the colonnaded avenue about 800 metres long, where chariot ruts are still visible on the paving; the Temple of Zeus and the South Theatre, which seats about 3,000 people, where a speaker standing at centre stage can be heard across the whole theatre; the huge Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis; and mosaic floors from several Byzantine-era churches. The arena sometimes stages Roman legion and chariot shows (RACE, an extra charge). Admission is 10 dinars, included with the Jordan Pass. Getting there: a bus from the North Amman bus station takes about an hour, or you can hire a car for a half-day tour, often combined with Ajloun Castle. The site is large, so allow 2 to 3 hours, and protect yourself from the sun.
Opening hours
Summer 08:00–19:00; winter 08:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Ajloun Forest Reserve
- Ajloun Castle
- As-Salt Old Town
- Royal Automobile Museum
- King Abdullah I Mosque
- Pella (Tabaqat Fahl)
- Amman Citadel
- Rainbow Street