Jerash and Ajlun

The next day we drove 30 miles north to Jerash, famous for the Greco-Roman settlement of Gerasa. The ruins consist of Roman structures built over Greek developments. It is a very large area. Many of the structures were buried due to earthquakes and landslides. Excavations are still being conducted today. However, the minor digs have been re-buried to preserve them.

There were Roman temples, Christian churches and mosques built on top of each other over the years. Ayman told us that this practice was just for convenience (availability of building materials, etc.). The old buildings were not torn down - they were already in ruins.

Panoramic view of Gerasa ruins. The modern city of Jerash is in the background. The oval forum on the right is surrounded with many columns. To its left is a colonnaded Roman road. The Zeus temple and the Artemis temple are on the right and left edges of the photo.

(Left) Hadrian's Arch marked the entrance to Gerasa       (Right) It is followed by the South Gate

(Left) The 90x80 meter oval Forum with many Corinthian columns still standing
(Right) A well-preserved Roman amphitheater, still in use.

(Left) Leading away from the Forum is the 2000 years old Roman road.
(Right) The road is slightly sloped to the center with a drain hole.

(Left) The Tetrapylon is the intersection of the two Roman roads in Gerasa. There is a niche on each side. They are places for the god statues carried by merchants from different parts of the Roman Empire.
(Right) Numerous Corinthian columns still standing.

(Left) A nymphaeum in Gerasa (In ancient Greece and Rome, it was a monument consecrated to the nymphs, especially those of springs.)
(Right) Detailed nymphaeum art works still preserved after 2000 years

                Ajlun Muslim castle ruin

(L) Our lunch host (left), his son and Ayman     (R) Sister-in-law and wife of our host who cooked for us