The Ancient City of Jerash | Discovering Jordan

If you are familiar with my blog or me in general, then you know that I have an interest in places and things that are old and ancient. This fascination of mine has lead me to many interesting places along my travels, with one being the ancient city of Jerash in Jordan. I was in awe of this archaeological site, comprising one of the largest and best preserved Greco-Roman cities.

Jerash Archaeological City has been considered an ancient meeting place of East and West. It was a great city that spanned many civilastions, and flourished during the Greek, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods. Then during the 749 CE Galilee earthquke and subsequent quakes, large portions of the city were destroyed.

Greetings from Jerash! (Me on the right)

However, later in 1120 Zahir ad-Din Toghtekin of Damascus ordered a fort to be constructed in an unknown site of the ruins. A year later it was captured by Baldwin II, King of Jerusalem and the fort was destroyed. Soon after, the Crusaders abandoned Jerash and withdrew to the settlement of Sakib, along the eastern border of the city.

Impressively, the region of Jerash has been inhabited even further back than the Hellenistic period. Archaeologist had unearthed settlement ruins known as Tal Abu Sowan, and two human skulls dating back to the Neolithic Age (7500-5500 BCE). There has also been evidence of Bronze Age (3200-1200 BCE) settlements found the region.

Jerash has been excavated since last century, and has gradually been unearthed and revealed since excavation commenced in 1925. An extensive array of remains were found including an oval plaza surrounded by a colonnade, two sanctuaries, two theatres, a hippodrome, a lengthy colonnaded street, and an arch gate.

Today Jerash is considered the best preserved Greco-Roman cities, and was nicknamed the “Pompeii of the Middle East”. It is one of Jordan’s most impressive sites to see, and is one of the well visited sites in the country with over 300,000 visitors per year.

My visit to Jerash was a remarkable experience, and I took many photographs that I hope you enjoy. If you make it to Jordan, then also check out the Ancient City of Jerash!

For more places to visit while in Jordan – Petra and Beyond | UNESCO & Top Sights To Visit While In Jordan

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