Things to see in Jerash

Hadrian's Arch and the Hippodrome

The triple arch, about 11 m high, was raised for Hadrian's visit in AD 129–130. Beside it, the Hippodrome (about 245 m long) once seated some 15,000 spectators for chariot races. Read more on Jerash.com's pages on Hadrian's Arch and the Hippodrome.

Oval Plaza, Temple of Zeus and South Theatre

The Oval Plaza is the city's signature: a slightly irregular oval surrounded by 56 Ionic columns, linking the main street to the Temple of Zeus on the hill. Climb to the top of the South Theatre for the panorama; musicians sometimes play bagpipes and drums in the orchestra to show off the acoustics.

The Cardo and the Nymphaeum

The Cardo Maximus runs about 800 m north, lined with columns and shopfronts, with manhole covers to the original drains. Halfway along is the Nymphaeum (AD 191), a two-storey fountain once faced with marble.

Temple of Artemis

Reached through a monumental gateway and stairway, the Temple of Artemis (2nd century AD) still has eleven of its giant Corinthian columns. Push one gently with your hand and some say you can feel it sway — they were built to flex in earthquakes.

Churches, North Theatre and the museum

West of the Cardo, Byzantine churches — St Cosmas and Damian, St John the Baptist and St George — preserve mosaic floors (some viewed from above). The North Theatre was rebuilt as an odeon for the city council. The small archaeological museum near the entrance shows coins, sculpture and mosaics.

Plan with Jerash.com

For monument-by-monument background and maps, use Jerash.com's What to see in Jerash.

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Jerash

From Amman: trip to Jerash

≈ 5–6 h

Straightforward transport-and-guide trip to Jerash, easy to fit into an Amman stay.

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North Jordan

Day tour to Jerash, Ajloun and Umm Qais from Amman

≈ 9–10 h

Group or private day covering the three northern sites, with lunch stops in the hills.

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How to plan your visit

1. Buy your ticket (or show the Jordan Pass) at the visitor centre beside Hadrian's Arch.
2. Walk through the arch past the Hippodrome to the South Gate (≈ 10 min).
3. Climb to the Temple of Zeus and the South Theatre for the view over the Oval Plaza (≈ 30 min).
4. Walk the Cardo north, detouring west to the churches and the Temple of Artemis (≈ 1.5 h).
5. Continue to the North Theatre and North Tetrapylon, then return along the Cardo or the eastern edge (≈ 45 min).

Roman army shows and music

At times a Roman Army and Chariot Experience has been staged in the Hippodrome, with legionaries and chariot races; check locally whether performances are running during your visit. In the South Theatre, local musicians often play the bagpipes — a legacy of British-trained military bands — to demonstrate the acoustics. A small tip is appreciated.

Eating in Jerash

Restaurants by the entrance and on the hill opposite serve mezze, grills and bread from the oven with views of the ruins — a pleasant lunch after a morning's walking. The modern town has cheaper falafel and shawarma stalls.

Beyond the ruins

The modern town of Jerash grew up on the east bank of the stream that ran through the ancient city, and its markets are a pleasant contrast to the ruins: fruit and vegetable stalls, bakeries and shops selling olive oil from the surrounding hills. Thirty minutes west, Ajloun Castle crowns a hill above pine and oak forest; Dibeen Forest, south-west of Jerash, is a favourite picnic spot for Jordanian families. For the full context of the Decapolis, combine Jerash with Umm Qais (ancient Gadara) or Pella in the Jordan Valley — see the north of Jordan.