Visit of Jerash (Gerasa)

After you go through the building with sale of tickets, souvenirs, etc., you get to the southern entrance to this vast area. Right at the beginning you will be welcomed by impressive triumphal arch of the Emperor Hadrian built in honor of his visit here.

From Hadrian's triumphal arch you will walk half a kilometer along Hippodromme (The circus), where chariot races held in its heyday, which were watched by around fifteen thousand spectators. After passing through the South Gate you get to the local oval Forum surrounded by dozens of columns. There are several tour options around the site from here. Directly above you is nice little Temple of Zeus and the South Theatre, the ideal starting points of the circuit.

Temple of Zeus is nice in itself, but also serves as the best outlook point throughout the rest of this ancient town. So you may climb here not only in the beginning, but also at the end of the tour.
 

The most famous „postcard“ view of Jerash is of the Forum surrounded by a row of columns and of the main street Cardo Maximus (see the introductory slide of the photoreport). When you climb even higher to the Temple of Zeus, the view on modern town situated on the slopes of the surrounding hills opens.

From this outlook point is also a nice view of the main street of this ancient town – Cardo Maximus surrounded by colonnades and other small temples. In addition, there are still the original tiles.

Right next to the Temple of Zeus is The South Theatre, which used to accommodate up to five thousand spectators. From the theater leads an alternative way to Cardo Maximus, so you can also do a nice circuit here.

From the upper path is a nice view of the Temple of Artemis, where your next steps will lead. The hills on the horizon are slightly over a thousand meters above sea level and there are the last remnants of forests in Jordan.

The Temple of Artemis is situated high above the main path Cardo Maximus, from where you have to climb a few dozen steps. However, if you come here from the upper way, you will be saved of that ascent.

There used to be two theaters in this ancient town. This North Theater is far more restored, but the smaller South has a little more charm.
 

The northern end of monuments is ended by the North Gate. Here you will have to turn around and go back. If you have walked the upper path, enjoy well-preserved colonnade Cardo Maximus during the return.
 

There is a forner fountain at Cardo Maximus.
 

You will get to know the true meaning of the word colonnade at Cardo Maximus.

The most beautiful monument in the main street is monumental Nymphaneum – the main fountain of the whole town.
 

Like  during all tours around similar impressive ruins you will definitely say that you would like to see it here at its heyday.