What to do in Al-Mafraq

Jerash Archaeological Site is home to the remains of many striking ancient buildings, but the Temple of Artemis was once among the most striking of all. Believed to have been by far the most important place of worship in the ancient Roman city of Gerasa (now Jerash), the temple is still impressive for its sheer scale today. Visit it to get some sense of the enormous significance religion held for citizens of the ancient civilization of the Roman Empire.

Seeing the ancient Roman ruins of Jerash Archaeological Site is an impressive enough experience in itself, but to really grasp the history of this incredible place, visit the Jerash Archaeological Museum, located on site.

Visit Jerash and you are sure to spend much of your time exploring the remains of the ancient Roman city that once stood here. Many of the structures in this sprawling archaeological site are extremely impressive, but Hadrian’s Arch really is among the most special. Not only is it in excellent condition for an arch that has stood for almost 2,000 years, it’s also enormous and is therefore one of the more prominent features of the site.

In every ancient Roman city, the forum was the place that was at the center of the community, the place where political decisions were made, public meetings were held and often where markets took place. Visit the Forum in Jerash, which was known as Gerasa under the Roman Empire, to see a well-preserved example that is architecturally unlike most ancient Roman forums elsewhere.

Describing the Nymphaeum at the Jerash Archaeological Site as a “fountain” hardly seems to do this grand structure justice. However, that was indeed the original function of this ancient Roman masterpiece of architecture. Bring your camera when you visit it, as you are sure to want to capture this marvelous relic of a long-dead civilization.

Wander among the splendid ancient Roman ruins of Jerash’s main attraction, the Jerash Archaeological site, and the Hippodrome will certainly grab your attention. This vast structure, built for spectator sports, is among the largest and best-preserved on the site. It is impressive enough in itself, but plan your visit for the right time of year and you may also see an exciting reenactment of an ancient Roman chariot race here.

Jerash Archaeological Site holds some of the Middle East’s best-preserved ancient Roman ruins, but none of the other structures here give as clear a picture of the past as the South Theater. Step through the entrance to this ancient marvel and wonder at how many of its original features remain, from the seating to the stage and even the entrances for the actors.