Pella, Archaeological site in Irbid Governorate, Jordan
Pella is an excavated ancient city in the Jordan Valley foothills with remains of temples, churches, and homes from various periods. The exposed structures spread across multiple terraces and reveal how different cultures built and lived here.
Settlement here began in Neolithic times and grew into a major Decapolis center under Roman rule. The city continued through Byzantine and early Islamic periods until it was eventually abandoned in the mid-8th century.
Christians fleeing persecution in Jerusalem found refuge here and shaped the spiritual character of the region for centuries. The place became a meeting point where different communities coexisted and shared their traditions.
The site sits in the northern hills and is accessible from major roads in the region. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and the remains spread across multiple levels.
Excavations reveal an extraordinary layering of eight thousand years of human habitation, from Stone Age shelters to Islamic buildings. This continuous occupation makes it a rare example of how a place remained inhabited through major historical upheavals.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
