Jerash
- Admission:Free
2:00 PM Monday, May 21
Haze. Refreshingly cool.
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In ancient times, the Roman town of Gerasa grew rich from iron ore as well as agricultural products which flourished in this comparatively lush temperate region. This wealth in turn endowed the town with architectural treasures: the unique oval Forum, Hippodrome, Amphitheater, Agora, and the proud columns of the Temple to Artemis. The majestic Hadrian’s Arch dates from the eponymous Roman Emperor’s visit, an event which signaled the town’s importance.
Not long after the spread of Islam into the area, Gerasa was devastated by an earthquake and for centuries lay buried in sand. This accounts for the remarkable state of preservation in this, one of Jordan’s most important Roman sites. Significant sections of all the above-named sites can still be seen next to the modern town of Jerash, as well as colonnaded streets and city walls which precisely delineate the town’s contours, giving a vivid sense of life in an ancient Roman town.
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It was an Amazing, But I did not like the Tour Guide telling me he depends on tips to survive and demanding a tip from me. Very unprofessional and a complete turn off.
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The Private Half Day Jerash and Amman City Sightseeing Tour provides a dramatic insight into the extraordinary growth of two cities. Amman, the capital of Jordan, formerly known as Philadelphia, exploding from a small, sleepy town into a modern metropolis with 2.4 million people, almost half of the Kingdom’s population; and Jerash, a city of 30,000 at its zenith and one of the most important centres in the former Roman Empire. Continue Reading »
Note from Viator: This review was written by Graham Walker, who wrote a complete summary of the Private Half Day Jerash and Amman City Sightseeing Tour (with video!) on the Viator Travel Blog.
Good experience - as easy to do as the original booking. Both our driver and our guide at Jerash were excellent, the latter extending the tour because of our obvious interest. If you have a short stopover, go to Jerash - with the exception of the Colosseum, we reckon it beats Rome!
Continue Reading »Practical Info
The remains of Gerasa are adjacent to the modern town of Jerash, 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Amman and accessible by bus or taxi.
