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Jerash Roman Ruins
An amazing blend of Greco-Roman and Oriental influences
Aclose second to Petra on the list of favourite destinations in Jordan is the ancient city of Jerash, which boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years. A great place to visit during the spring with its beautiful rolling hills and lush greenery, Jarash has a rhythm not seen anywhere else in Jordan. Also, every year Jarash hosts the Jarash Festival of Culture and Arts, a three week summer program filled with folk dance, music, and theatrical performances.
Ancient Jerash, located 48 km north of Amman and nestled in a quiet valley among the mountains of Gilead, is the grandeur of Imperial Rome being one of the largest and most well preserved sites of Roman architecture in the World outside Italy.
To this day, its paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, handsome theaters, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates remain in exceptional condition.
This fascinating city of Jarash makes a great day-trip from Amman, particularly in spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom. The drive will take you less than an hour, but will transport you 2000 years back in time.
Jerash Amphitheatre
Within the remaining city walls, archaeologists have found the ruins of settlements dating back to the Neolithic Age, indicating human occupation of this location for more than 6500 years. This is not surprising, as the area is ideally suited for human habitation.
Jerash has a year-round supply of water, while its altitude of 500 meters gives it a temperate climate and excellent visibility over the surrounding low-lying areas.
The history of Ancient Jerash is a blend of the Greco-Roman world of the Mediterranean basin and the ancient traditions of the Arab Orient. Indeed, the name of the city itself reflects this interaction. The earliest Arabic/Semitic inhabitants named their village Garshu.
The Romans later Hellenised the former Arabic name into Gerasa, and at the end of the 19th century, the Arab and Circassian inhabitants of the small rural settlement transformed the Roman Gerasa into the Arabic Jarash.
It was not until the days of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC that Jarash truly began to develop into a sizeable town. But it was during the period of Roman rule that Jarash, then known as Gerasa, enjoyed its golden age.
The first known historical reference to Jarash dates back to the 2nd or early 1st century BC. This reference is attributed to Josephus, a historian from the Holy Land, who referred to it as the the place to which Theodorus, the tyrant of Philadelphia, removed his treasure for safe keeping in the Temple of Zeus. Shortly afterward, Theodorus lost Jarash to Alexander Jannceus, a religious priest.
Soon after Rome took control of Syria, Emperor Pompey, in 63 BC, named conquered Jarash as one of the great cities of the Decapolis League. This brought great economic benefits to Jarash and trade flourished with the Nabataean Empire based in Petra.
In 106 AD, Emperor Trajan annexed the wealthy Nabataean Kingdom and formed the province of Arabia. This brought even greater trading riches pouring into Jarash, which enjoyed a burst of construction activity. Granite was brought from as far away as Egypt, and old temples were rebuilt according to the latest architectural fashion.
The city received yet another boost in stature with the visit of Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD. To honor its guest, the citizens raised a monumental Triumphal Arch at the southern end of the city. Jarash’s prosperity reached a peak in the beginning of the 3rd century, when it was bestowed with the rank of Roman Colony. During this “golden age”, Jarash may have had a population of 20,000 people.
The ancient city preserved today was the administrative, civic, commercial and cultural center of this community, while the majority of the city’s citizens lived on the east side of Jarash Valley.
As the 3rd century progressed, shipping began to take over as the main route for commerce. Jarash fell into decline as its previously lucrative trade routes became less traveled and therefore less valuable.
By the middle of the 5th century, Christianity had become the major religion of the region and numerous churches were constructed in Jarash. Many churches were constructed of stones taken from pagan temples – and the remains of several can be seen today.
Jarash was hit further by the Persian invasion of 615 AD and the Muslim conquest of 636 AD. A series of earthquakes in 749 AD did serious damage to the city and hastened its decline, and its population sank to 4000.
The Crusaders described Jarash as uninhabited, and it remained abandoned until its rediscovery in 1806, when Ulrich Jasper Seetzen, a German traveler, came across and recognized a small part of the ruins. The ancient city was buried in sand, which accounts for its remarkable preservation. It has been gradually revealed through a series of excavations, which started in 1925, and continue to this day.
Believe it or not, there is only one hotel in Jarash, the Hadrian’s Gate Hotel, just opposite to Hadrian’s Arch! This is a very small and simple hotel – although there is a terrace on the roof with a great view. Otherwise the closest hotel is a delightful one : the Olive Branch on a hill about 15kms or 10 miles away. See www.olivebranch.com.jo.
The Jarash Archaeological Museum was established in 1923 inside one of the vaults of the courtyard of the Artemis Temple.
In 1985, the museum was moved to the renovated old rest house and the first special exhibition there was entitled “Jordan Through the Ages”. The museum is now dedicated solely to discoveries from the Jarash region and its collections span the archaeological periods in the area, from the Neolithic up to the Mamluk period.
The displays are in chronological order with typological and functional divisions. The museum houses large collections of pottery, glass, metals and coins, in addition to precious stones, figurines and statues, stone and marble alters, and mosaics.
In the garden of the museum, Greek and Latin monumental inscription are on display next to marble statues and stone sarcophagi. Jarash (Gerasa) was one of the cities of the Decapolis.
It is considered one of the largest Roman provincial cities, with well preserved Roman temples, paved roads, theatres, bridges and baths.
The city also boasts well preserved monumental architectural parts: the Monumental Gate, the Nymphaeum and the Hippodrome.
From the Byzantine period there are 18 churches, most of which have mosaic floors. The city wall with four gates is still preserved in many places.
You’ll likely do quite a bit of walking in Jarash, so be prepared to work up an appetite. Lebanese House is an elegant favorite for locals and travelers alike, located just a few minutes stroll away from the center of town. The menu is filled with well-executed international dishes and traditional fare like kibbeh nayyeh.
If convenience is your priority, head to Jarash Rest House for a quick bite after getting your fill of the ruins. The buffet is passable, but its real draw is the location – its the only eatery located within the boundaries of the archaeological park.
For an escape from the crowds, pay a visit to The Olive Branch, a vegetarian-friendly restaurant situated in the aforementioned hotel of the same name.
Guests will enjoy meals prepared with freshly pressed olive oil and organic produce, all while taking in scenic views from lovely outdoor dining spaces. Once you’re ready for dessert, Green Salon Sweets is the best place in town for knafeh, baklava, and other syrupy Arabic delights.
