Triumphal Arch and other Jarash, Jordan Things to Do Tips

The Arch is likely to be the first thing you see when coming from Amman and which also forms part of the new entrance complex (ticket office, stalls, car park, cafes). (There is a second entrance 100 metres further along the road with a small museum within the complex).

Currently undergoing renovation, the Arch was built in 129 AD when Emperor Hadrian came to stay in the city. The original was twice as high.

Immediately behind the Arch is the Hippodrome, believed to have seated approx 15,000. Little remains of the original other than the outline along with a few renovated terraces.

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Having passed through the South Gate and the Govt Rest House (where there is a small museum explaining the history of the city), you have entered into the heart of the old city.

The Forum in Jarash is unique in that it is oval in shape. Because of this and its positioning (immediately below the Hellenistic Temple Of Zeus) there are arguments as to whether it was the Forum at all, but a place of sacrifice connected to the Temple.

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Towering above its immediate surrounds is the Temple of Zeus. It is also been currently restored - it has suffered from the many earthquakes, with the columns that formed part of the impressive structure littered round the hillside. But its worth the climb to the temple (nothing much to see other than the four external walls and the columns) to see over the site of Jarash - it gives you an idea of the size of the place as well as a great view of the Forum below.

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Behind the Temple of Zeus was the main amphitheatre, seating up to 5000. The rake is incredibly steep, but worth climbing, again for great views over the city and to listen to conversations that are going on on the stage - the acoustics are extraordinary.

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Some 600 metres long, stretching to the North Gate, the Cardo (colonnaded street) was the main hub of the city. It is still paved with the original stones, many rutted by the wheels of thousands of chariots. It still effectively remains the main hub of Jarash, and access to many of the main sights are easily reached from the Cardo.

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Some of the columns remained standing throughout, others fell due to earthquakes. As with the Temple of Zeus, renovation has led to many of the columns and the intricately carved tops (can't remember the official word!) are lined up all along the Cardo.

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The 4th century cathedral (although there is no proof that it was anything other than a church) is to be found on the Cardo. Behind the cathedral is the 5th century Church of St Theodore, part of the Christianisation of Jarash and the Roman Empire that saw the city flourish again for 50 years or so. Some 7 churches were built over a 100 year period, many using the stones from much older Greek and Roman buildings.

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The Cardo is interspersed with public, ornate fountains. The Nymphaeum, built in 191 AD, is a grand 2 storey affair and by far the most impressive.

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Arguably, the most impressive of all the buildings in Jarash is the Temple of Artemis, dedicated to the patron goddess of the city.

A sweeping set of stairs leads up to the Temple from the Cardo.

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While a great deal of the structure (and the rest of Jarash) has been destroyed by earthquakes, the columns fronting the temple have, incredibly, remained standing throughout. They sway in the wind and have been 'burnt' a golden orange/umber colour by the mix of sand and sun.

There were considerably more columns forming the temple than now survive. Many were lost due to earthquakes, but they were also removed to build the churches in the 5/6th centuries. The local Arab population restored the temple, but much of this work was destroyed by the invading Crusaders.

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