In addition to Petra, Jordan also has a wealth of other world-class attractions, most notable the Roman ruin of Jerash, and the medieval fortress-castles which scattered around the hills and deserts of northern Jordan.
The best time to visit Jerash is early in the year or from November onwards. The ruins of Jerash is situated right in the centre of modern Jerash. Frequent buses connect Jerash to Amman. Alternatively, all hotels and guest houses in Jordan will be able to offer visitors private tours to Jerash at a reasonable price.
The ruins of Jerash are considered by many as the most extensive and best preserved Roman ruins in the world outside of Rome. In terms of size and scale of the already excavated site, Jerash is probably bigger than Ephesus in Turkey.
Hadrian's Gate is the first thing to greet all visitors to Jerash. It seems no matter which Roman ruins I visit, there is always a Hadrian's Gate. I bet Emperor Hadrian must be a gate fanatic that his subjects all try to please him by having gates named after him built all over the realm of the Roman Empire.
Right after the Hadrian' Gate is the Hippodrome, where chariot races were held.
There is a small visitors centre which explains the history of Jerash, with some exhibits of artifacts unearthed at the site.
One of the landmarks of Jerash is the circular forum or Odeon, a round-shaped open space with a Roman fountain in the centre of the square. On all sides of the forum are Roman columns built in a semi-circular shape.
Leading straight out of the Odeon is a Colonnade, with Roman columns on both sides. It is remarkable that such a large number of columns are still intact, given that these are often the first thing to fall apart during earthquakes. In many other Roman ruins I have visited, only a few columns remain of the former Colonnade: it is the first time I have seen such well-preserved Roman Colonnade street in a Roman ruin.
Many Roman buildings also found themselves in relatively good conditions. The Colonnade leads out from the Circular Forum and connects Jerash's centre with the two outer gates. Note how close the entire ruin is from the concrete houses of modern Jerash.
There is not just one, but two, Roman amphitheatres in Jerash, which indicates the size and importance of the city in its heydays.
Both amphitheatres are very well preserved, with buskers performing live music and songs in the open venue.
Located on an elevated ground which a commanding view over the entire lower town, the remains of the Acropolis of Jerash is still impressive in spite of the missing roof and adjacent walls.
The view from the Arcopolis all the way to Hadrian's Gate.
The Odeon from the Arcopolis, with modern Jerash and the green fertile hills of northern Jordan in the background.
For those interested in Roman architectures, Jerash is a must-see attraction, as seldom one sees such extensive and well-preserved Roman site in the world. The 11JD entrance fee is totally worth every cent.
Copyrights@2010. All photos and text by YC Cheng. All Rights Reserved.
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