After breakfast, we headed to Jerash, an ancient city known as one of the most popular attractions in Jordan, second only to Petra. Known for its incredible preservation, Jerash stands as one of the largest Roman sites outside of Italy, with a history spanning over 6,500 years. Italy is one of our must-visit countries, so Jerash can be considered an introduction to Roman history.
Located about 45 kilometers north of Amman, we arrived in Jerash an hour later. We purchased the “Jordan Wanderer Pass,” which included free entry to over 40 attractions in Jordan and a day trip to Petra (more on that later). We paid 70 Jordanian dinars per person for the pass, which waived our tourist visa fees since we purchased it prior to arrival. So, we used the pass to get into the Jerash Archaeological Site.
Through the main entrance, we immediately saw Hadrian’s Arch, a three-arched gateway built to commemorate the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian to the city. Once we entered this vast complex, we explored the Hippodrome, a site once used for chariot racing.
From there, we continued to the South Gate, heading to the Oval Plaza, a circular space surrounded by colonnades that gave a sense of the grandeur of Roman urban design. I could only imagine being there in ancient times.
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| The facade of Hippodrome |
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| The Arch of Hadrian |
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| It's hot; please just hold on. |
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| Entrance to the Hippodrome stage |
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| Audience seating |
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| The South Gate |
 | | Souq is on the right. |
|  | | A security barrack is on the left. |
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| Pillars surrounding the Oval |
Then we walked along the Cardo Maximus, or Colonnaded Street, heading north. We were excited to walk on the original brickwork that had been there for centuries. We also didn’t miss the opportunity to take pictures of historic structures such as the Nymphaeum, the cathedral, the Propylaeum of the Sanctuary of Artemis, and the public baths.
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| Original brickwork along the Colonnade Street |
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|  | | Some of the ruins can be found at the South Decumanus. |
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 | | Entrance of the Cathedral |
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 | | The Nymphaeum |
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| The Propylaeum of the Sanctuary of Artemis |
Upon arriving at the North Tetrapylon, we turned right towards the North Theatre, known as the Odium, which is relatively small in size compared to the larger southern counterpart that we had previously seen. from afar, at the Oval Plaza. It may have served various purposes, such as hosting poetry readings, musical performances, public gatherings, and religious speeches.
 | | The North Tetrapylon |
|  | | View from inside the Tetrapylon |
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| Theater performance |
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| It feels very exciting to see the historical sites of Roman civilization. |
The Temple of Artemis, located next to the North Theatre, was built in the middle of the ancient city, between two terraces in the sanctuary. It is the best-preserved monument I have ever seen. We headed back to the starting point via the hilltop and stopped at the South Theatre and the Temple of Zeus. Built between 80 and 96 AD and estimated to have seated over three thousand people, the South Theatre was larger than its northern counterpart.
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| Temple of Artemis |
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| A guy tought us to take picture using panoramic mode |
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| The South Theater is much bigger than its counterpart in the north |
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| Larger stage area |
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| I managed to capture a stunning picture under the bright sun. |
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| Inside of the Temple of Zeus |
After almost 3 hours, we were starting to become tired of walking around the vast Jerash complex. Our stomachs were starting to growl. Before arriving in Jordan, I had done some research on the food we should try. I chose the nearby Lebanese House. We were very pleased with the food we ordered.
Next we headed west for a half-hour drive to visit the famous Ajloun Castle, often called Qal'at Ar-Rabad. From the 12th to the 15th centuries, this magnificent bastion provided crucial military protection above the verdant slopes of Ajloun. Its commanding position offered breathtaking views of the surrounding area. General Izzeldin Usama of Saladin built the fortress in 1184, symbolizing resiliency and strategic brilliance. Protecting trade lines and repelling Crusader attacks was its vital duty.
After spending an hour exploring this castle, we headed back to Amman to conclude our day.
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