The second most famous and visited site in Jordan after Petra, is the Greco-Roman city of Jerash. This great city was known from biblical times and represented a great center during the Roman Empire's rule of the area. Jerash is a must-visit for any traveler who enjoys the history and scenery of Jordan.
The Greco- Roman city of Jerash is one of Jordan’s most
captivating places when visiting the Kingdom. Located
only an hour’s drive from the capital city of Amman, Jerash, (once known as
‘Gerasa’) during Roman times, is one of the ten Decapolis Cities in the world,
and is amongst the largest and best -preserved Roman sites outside of Rome.
Although Jerash dates back to the days of Alexander the
Great, the city’s golden age came under Roman rule, as the Romans developed the
settlement considerably from its conquest in 63BC to its heyday of the 110s AD,
when Roman Emperor, Hadrian ruled the entire
empire.
Among the many fascinating facts about Jerash is that it was
hidden for centuries in sand before being unearthed and restored over the past
70 years. To this day, its colonnaded streets, baths, theaters, plazas, and
arches remain in excellent condition.
What to See in Jerash: