Jerash ruins of Jordan: a once great Roman city

Jerash ruins of Jordan: a once great Roman city

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

The modern city of Jerash lies next to Gerasa of Antiquity, an ancient city that is home to some of the most beautiful Greco-Roman architecture in the world. The city lies in Jordan's countryside 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 importance, largely due to the region's fertile soils and year-round fresh water supply. An earthquake struck the region in 749 AD, destroying huge parts of the city and leaving the ruins buried in the ground for hundreds of years. It was in 1806 when the German explorer Ulrich Jasper Seetzen discovered them while searching for oriental artifacts as part of a private research assignment.

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After over 200 years of slow but steady excavation and the relocation of the current modern city across the wadi (valley), the area became the second largest tourist destination in Jordan after Petra.

The site is easily visited on a full or half-day trip from Amman and offers visitors an excellent opportunity to piece together the ancient life that once flourished here. The fact that so many structures remain intact provides archaeologists, historians and even the casual visitor with an excellent taste of Roman rule in the Middle East.

WHAT TO SEE

The ruins of Jerash can be easily hiked in a few hours and it's hard to miss anything important. The most notable sites are:

• Hadriansbogen: 129 n. Chr. erbaut, markiert er die Grenzen der antiken Stadt.
• Hippodrom: ein restauriertes Stadion aus der Römerzeit. Dies war die kleinste der beiden Arenen im Römischen Reich.
• Forum (Oval Plaza): Dies ist die Hauptattraktion. Umrahmt von 160 ionischen Säulen ist es buchstäblich nicht zu übersehen!
• Der Cardo: eine 600 m (1.968 ft) lange Säulenstraße, die sich über die ganze Stadt erstreckt.
• Tempel der Artemis: Beeindruckende Tempelruinen, die der altgriechischen Gottheit gewidmet sind.
• Agora: einst der wichtigste Lebensmittelmarkt der Stadt, der um einen zentralen Brunnen angeordnet war.
• Nymphäum: ein verzierter öffentlicher Brunnen, der mit Löwenköpfen geschmückt und den Nymphen gewidmet ist.
• South Theatre: Das größere der beiden Theater bietet Platz für bis zu 3.000 Personen. Das Gelände wird immer noch für Konzerte, Aufführungen und sogar gelegentliche Wagenrennen genutzt!
• Jerash Archaeological Museum: beherbergt eine Sammlung von Artefakten wie Münzen, Statuen und Sarkophage, die bei den zahlreichen Ausgrabungen gefunden wurden.

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Located near the ruins of Jerash, Ajloun Castle is located in the middle of the Ajloun Forest Reserve. It's a good stopover on the return journey. The isolated forests of evergreen oak trees are also ideal for an afternoon stroll.

Jerash Ruins of Jordan: the essentials

What: Visit the ruins of Jerash in Jordan.

Where: We stayed at 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 day and night in Jordan. Winter (January to February) can be cool and rainy, while summer brings temperatures up to 38°C (100°F). Peak season is February to March and October to November, so opt for mid-spring or early fall.

How: There are regular buses to and from Jerash from Tabarbour Bus Station in Amman, running throughout the day until late afternoon. Tickets cost 1 JOD (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 hired in Amman for 10 JOD (14 USD) one way or around 40 JOD (56 USD) for the day.

Entrance to the site costs 10 JD (14 USD), including the Jerash Archaeological Museum. In summer the opening times are 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 for the best prices.

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Lonely Planet Jordan is a comprehensive travel guide to Jordan, ideal for those who want to both explore the top attractions and take the road less traveled.

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