Jerash ruins of Jordan: a once great Roman city

Veröffentlicht:

Aktualisiert:

Von:

Jerash's ruins in Jordan are considered the best preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy. Located only 48 km (30 miles) north of Amman, it is a great day trip from the capital.

The modern city of Jerash is located alongside Gerasa of Antiquity, an ancient city that houses some of the most beautiful Greek-Roman architectures in the world. The city is located in Jordan's landscape with fertile hills and valleys full of olive trees, plum trees, fig trees, pine forests and wheat fields.

The ancient Roman city enjoyed great wealth and meaning, mainly due to the fertile soils and the year -round fresh water supply in the region. A earthquake met the region in 749 AD, destroyed huge parts of the city and left the ruins buried in the ground for hundreds of years. It was in 1806 when the German researcher Ulrich Jasper Seetzen discovered her when he was looking for oriental artifacts as part of a private research mandate.

alt = “Jerash ruins Jordan-12 ″> Atlas & Boots

After more than 200 years, slower but constant excavation and the relocation of today's modern city via the Wadi (valley), the area to Petra became the second largest tourist destination in Jordan.

The site can easily be visited in a full or half-day trip from Amman and offers visitors an excellent opportunity to put together the old life that once bloomed here. The fact that so many structures have remained intact offers archaeologists, historians and even the occasional visitor an excellent foretaste of the Roman rule in the Middle East.

what to see

The jerash ruins can be conveniently hiked in a few hours and it is difficult to overlook something important. The most remarkable pages are:

  • Hadrianbogen: built in AD 12, he marks the borders of the ancient city.
  • hippodrom: a restored stadium from the Roman period. This was the smallest of the two arenas in the Roman Empire.
  • Forum (Oval Plaza): This is the main attraction. Framed by 160 Ionian columns, it is literally not to be overlooked!
  • The Cardo: a 600 m (1,968 ft) long pillar road that extends across the whole city.
  • temple of artemis: impressive temple ruins dedicated to the ancient Greek deity.
  • agora: Once the city's most important food market, which was arranged around a central fountain.
  • nymptophage: a decorated public fountain adorned with lion heads and dedicated to the nymphs.
  • South Theater: The larger of the two theaters offers space for up to 3,000 people. The area is still used for concerts, performances and even occasional wagon races!
  • Jerash Archeological Museum: houses a collection of artifacts such as coins, statues and sarcophagi, which were found in the numerous excavations.
  • Alt = "Jerash ruins Jordan-12 ″>
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">
  • Alt = "">

Near the ruins of Jerash is the Ajloun Castle in the middle of the Ajloun Forest Reserve. It is a good stopover on the way back. The isolated forests made of evergreen oaks are also ideal for an afternoon walk.

Jerash ruins of Jordan: The essentials

What: Visiting Jerash's ruins in Jordan.

Where: We stayed in the Arab Tower Hotel in Amman. The hotel was simple, but centrally located and comfortable with friendly staff.

travel time: spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures in Jordan day and night. In winter (January to February) it can be cool and rainy, during summer temperatures of up to 38 ° C (100 ° F). The main season is from February to March and from October to November, so choose the middle of spring or early autumn.

like: From the Tabarbour bus station in Amman, buses regularly run from and to Jerash, which run all day until late afternoon. Tickets cost 1 iodine (1-2 USD). If you start the day early, you can also take a bus via Ajloun to Jerash and visit the castle on the way. Taxis can be rented in Amman for 10 iodine ($ 14) or about 40 iodine (56 USD) for the day.

Admission to the site costs 10 JD ($ 14), including the Jerash archaeological museum. In summer, the opening times from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and in winter from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There are several international airlines that fly to Amman. Book via Skyscanner at the best prices.

alt = “>

Lonely Planet Jordan is a comprehensive travel guide to Jordan, ideal for those who want to explore the most important sights and take the less busy street.

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots 
 .