Many cities in Jordan are very popular with tourists, and Jerash is, perhaps, the second most popular in the country. This interesting city is situated in a valley of a striking beauty surrounded by forest-covered hills and fertile lands. It is hard to find another city in the world that has such a well-preserved look of an ancient Roman settlement. There is a logical explanation for this fact. For centuries, Jerash was hidden under thick layers of sand. The Roman province was unearthed only two centuries ago. Close to the landmark of the ancient world, there is the modern city of Jerash that is a vibrant and developing place.
First settlers on the site of the modern Jordanian city appeared during the Neolithic period. In 63 BC, the Roman troops captured the settlement and added it to the Decapolis league of cities. The settlement had another name at that time – Gerasa. This was a true period of prosperity for Jerash. Initially a small settlement, it turned into a large Roman province that was not only developing but also growing in size. The Byzantine Empire took over the region in the 4th century, turning Jerash into a center of Christianity. Muslims from the Umayyad Caliphate were the last rulers of Jerash. It didn’t matter who the ruler was, the life of the local people was peaceful and prosperous.
Do you want to travel back in time and see Ancient Rome? Visit the historical part of the Jordanian province. Jerash Amphitheatre is usually the first attraction that tourists visit during their excursion in the city. The size of this construction is truly tremendous. When looking at the giant amphitheater, it is easy to understand how big and important this city was in ancient times. The theater was built in the 2nd century. Initially, the theater was small and had only fourteen rows with seats. However, the population of Jerash was growing in size, and so it was decided to make the theater larger. At the peak, the theater could provide seats for 1,600 viewers.
Even though many centuries have passed since the time of ancient performances and shows, and the city remained in a sand trap for such a long time, the theater is still active. Every summer, Jerash Amphitheatre hosts a festival. If you are lucky to visit this event, you will be able to learn more about the history of Jerash and to participate in a grandiose fire show. During this popular event, interesting performances and unforgettable shows take place in the amphitheater every day.
The Arch of Hadrian is, perhaps, the most important attraction in Jerash. It has a special meaning to the city. The beautiful arched construction was built in 130 AD. Roman Emperor Hadrian was planning to visit Jerash at that time – he enjoyed spending every winter in this Roman province. The arc got its name after the great Roman emperor. When choosing a site for the arc, builders thought that Jerash would continue growing in size to the south. However, their plans didn’t come true. Nowadays, the arc stands at some distance from the city.
If you are interested in the landmarks of the Muslim period, consider visiting the nearby town of Ajloun and see its main attraction – the Ajloun Castle. Built at the end of the 12th century, this castle was supposed to protect trading paths between Syria and Jordan. The castle stands on a hill, so a visit to this beautiful landmark is a great opportunity to enjoy a striking panoramic view of the Jordanian land. On a sunny day, it is even possible to see shining Jerusalem cupolas. The castle had four towers and a moat that surrounded the building. It was protecting the castle from invaders in the past.
Several years later, one more tower construction was added to the castle. It had a hanging bridge and a parade gate with pigeon sculptures as decorations. Nowadays, when walking in the corridors of the castle, tourists can visit an interesting museum. The venue exhibits a large collection of various artifacts discovered in the castle and neighborhoods during the archaeological excavations.
A modern road connects Jerash to Amman. The ride from the Jordanian capital lasts only forty minutes. Needless to say, it will be even shorter even you travel in a rented car or a taxi. There are daily intercity buses that connect Jerash and Amman. Taxi drivers are always ready to help guests of the hospitable country.
Sightseeing in Jordan: things to see
This part of the Jordan capital is a true paradise for scientists and historians as simply every centimetre of the holy land has great historic value. Artefacts found in the downtown are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum. Opened more than 60 years ago, the museum constantly gets new items that were found during excavations. The most famous cultural museums of the city are the Folklore Museum, the Museum of Coins, Jordan Museum of National Traditions and the Museum of Royal Cars. King Abdullah Mosque is an important religious sight. Even though this is a relatively young building, it is named in the list of most important shrines.
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