I was fortunate enough to have been hosted by the wonderful people at the Jordan Tourism Board for a guided tour of this wonderful country just a couple weeks ago and one of the big highlights was Jerash. I’ll be doing a series of posts about the things I got to do and see over the next few weeks.
The Roman Ruins of Jerash
Jerash has some of the most well preserved Roman ruins anywhere in the world. Back in Roman times, the city was known as Gerasa and was one of the ten Decapolis cities that ruled the area. It has been occupied since the Bronze Age and achieved notoriety when Emperor Hadrian visited Jerash in AD 129-130 — ergo the Arch of Hadrian shown down below.
This was a site that I likely would not have gone to, without the Jordan Tourism Board setting it up. I hadn’t heard of it before, though I had been through the area in 2009. It is in the northern part of the country which is lush and green and hilly — the breadbasket of Jordan — which is beautiful in its own right.
In my opinion, it is a can’t miss site. You are not going to get the chance to see such extensive and well preserved ruins almost anywhere in the world. And unlike Palmyra in Syria, which is also massive, in Jerash, you can truly get a sense of the activity of the place. You see where the merchants set up shop every day. There are two amphitheaters that are both in great shape.
And in the hippodrome, you witness a chariot race and a gladiator exhibition. More on that soon… after I get back from the Royal Automobile Museum in Amman.
Hadrian’s Arch — the entrance gate to the ruins
the main area — the Oval Plazza
3
the South Amphitheater
The Cardo Maximus — Main Street
Northern Tetrapylon
You literally could not be lucky enough to find a site for Roman ruins as preserved as Jerash.
My friend Nellie took some wonderful photos of the Roman ruins at Jerash also.
My favourite photo is the last one, there’s a sense of tranquility in it somehow.
Thanks. Was happy to get a nice shot without people in it. That is at the far edge of the park, so was a little more peaceful there as well.
Wonderful photos Michael. I agree with Ayngelina in the last photo there is a sense of tranquility amongst the ruin.
I am a huge ruins fan. I’ve got plenty more shots from the Middle East, but was particularly taken by this location in Jordan.
Awesome captures of the ruins! I like the composition and depth in the last one the best.
I might need to move the last one up higher! Thanks for the complements, everyone.
Whoa these photos are amazing Michael. Some of the best Roman ruins I’ve ever seen. It’s all still so intact, what with the arches and the clearly made out main street. I didn’t know Jordan had such great ruins, looks like you had a great day out there.
thanks, Justin. I was also surprised at the state of the ruins. These were some of the best preserved I have seen anywhere.
This looks like a cleaner, more appealing Athens! Seems like a great place to visit. I am sure there are many great places in Jordan that many of us don’t know about.
I haven’t been to Athens yet (though would love to go), but if it is anything like Rome, yea it is more compact and close together. Really nice site. And you are right… lots of places in Jordan to see.
Spectacular indeed, culture and landscapes in the Middle East are overwhelming.
Agreed! Love the culture, landscapes…. and the people. So nice.
Great shots! You’ve really captured the site. Just went to Jerash a few days ago and it was impressive. We ran into a group of school children who were welcoming and burst into song and dance in front of us! Jordan is a great place to visit 🙂
Leslie, I am glad (and surprised) and you were able to hit Jerash,given you really quick schedule. Good place to hit and sounds like you had a personal show!
Jerash is wonderful. Attended a concert in the amphitheatre there one night… about 20 years ago. Excellent acoustics.
ahhhhh, a concert there would be spectacular
It is absolutely fascinating to me how far the Roman ruins go. Seeing the Roman baths in Bath UK, the aqueducts in Segovia, Spain, and then seeing them in Jordan reinforces that history lesson all the more.
Great pics! I’m a history nerd!
Agree on the amazing size of that empire. And really, a lot of it happened in just a couple hundre years. I join you in the history nerdness!
I loved reading this and checking out your great photos.
I have just spent the last week scanning my negatives from my time in Jordan and Syria in 1990, and then I followed someone’s tweet to this blog – I love a good coincidence!
It’s intriguing to see how much is still the same twenty years later, except in 1990 it was the Gulf War and we were literally the only people there, nice to see Jerash gets more visitors these days – and the sky is still a beautiful blue!
I’d love to see your photos up at some point — that would be very cool.
Wow, looks spectacular!
It’s fun to think about what the main street would look like back then. Romans hanging out under the pillars in their togas… shootin’ the shit, buying fruit, cruisin’ the strip picking up women (or men?) in their chariots… 🙂
Great shots!
I know — once reason I love ruins is sitting there and just imagining what it all would have looked like back in the day.
While reading your article and looking at your lovely photos, I think once again at the beauty of the Middle East and its amazing historic heritage.
This is definitely an area that has a special place in my heart!
I have been surprised at how much I love it. One of my favorite places in the world.
Wow. Just wow. So. Freaking. Jealous.
Yea, you need to knock out some time in the Middle East. Fabulous part of the world.
Hi Michael,
Brilliant posts on Israel.
I, for one would love to visit Israel. However, I doubt I can ever do that as Malaysian passport do not accept Israel / or Malaysian passport cannot enter into Israel (Whichever is which).
So much of history. Beautiful place.
Thank you so much for sharing!
– Cindy
We went to Jerash a couple of years ago. Loved it. Loved Jordan. I like how Jerash is right on the border. I also love the last photo best. I always love the old and current in the same shot!