Ancient Jerash

Ancient Jerash is a Greco-Roman city in northern Jordan that spreads across a wide plain ringed by hills. The surviving structures include colonnaded streets, theaters, and buildings of marble and granite that reflect the architectural style of that period.

Settlement began here around 7500 BC, but the city reached its peak during Roman rule as part of the Decapolis League. A major earthquake in 747 AD caused significant damage and triggered the site's gradual decline.

Temples and churches mark the shift from Roman to Christian worship that took place here over time. Visitors can see today how multiple faiths left their mark on the same spaces through different religious structures.

The site is accessible to visitors and can be explored in a single day with comfortable shoes and sun protection essential. The terrain includes various elevation changes and paved paths that require a reasonable level of walking fitness.

Many visitors overlook how skillfully the original builders designed this city, allowing major sections to remain standing without modern reinforcement after thousands of years. This durability reveals the advanced engineering knowledge of the ancient architects.

GPS coordinates: 32.27250,35.89420

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:47