Jerash, Jordan

Jerash

(Also Jeresh or Jaresh as I found it spelled differently at different places including the ticket booths)

The Oval Plaza

The condition of the present day ruins tells us about the magnificence of the structures that the place had in its heyday. 

Jerash, the Pompeii of the East, today has it all that historically points to the times of a great Roman past in the Middle East. The Middle East is the cradle of the Semitic religions and no wonder that in Jordan we see meeting of the East and the west.

The Hadrian's Arch

Enter the archeological site from the southern side through the Hadrian’s Arch, turn left to the Hippodrome (the place where chariot races were held) and walk back on to the main way to reach the South Gate of the site which gives you a glimpse of the most important places like Oval Plaza, the Zeus Temple and the South Amphitheatre.

Pillars of the Artemis Temple

Then walk the Colonnaded Street to reach the North Gate some 850 metres from the South Gate. The North Amphitheater is situated there though it is smaller than the South Theatre. The main water source of the city – the Nymphaeum is located just north of the central circle where north-south and east-west corridors meet. The main attraction in the north is the Artemis Temple.

The South Theatre

People say one half day is enough to visit the Jerash ruins. They keep one to two hours do see whole of the archeological site. However, it took me full four hours to do the site. I recommend one full day for this tour.

Take a bus from the north bus station in Amman. The air-conditioned minibus is comfortable as well as cheap (1.5 JOD). Jerash is 50 km north of the capital city.  The place is hot but breezy. The day I visited, clouds made it very pleasant. 

Some Photos:

The Hippodrome

The Artemis Temple. Artemis was the presiding deity of this Roman site

The North Amphitheatre

The Nymphaeum - the water source

The Temple of Zeus

The Nymphaeum

The South Gate

The Colonnade

The Cathedral

Church of the Propylaea

The Great Temple

Artemis Temple

The North Gate

The Spoon Trick:

At the base of one of the pillars of the Artemis temple they have stuck a spoon that vibrates. They say the pillar is shaking and and call it a miracle. The fact is that there's a strong breeze at the site and that makes it vibrate. I asked them to put a thick rod instead and see the shaking will stop. Only thin spoon vibrates with the strong breeze.

Then the guide will also ask you to insert your finger into the recess to feel the pillar shake. Actually, as the finger gets pressed the blood inside makes you feel like a pulsation. It is not a magic or miracle. 

Such miracles have been associated with many tall pillars. One such pillar is in Belur, India where the guide will have you believe that it was levitating as there was enough space to pass a piece of paper between the pillar and its base. 

(I visited in March 2018)