Jerash Ancient City

A visit to Jordan is incomplete without exploring the ancient city of Jerash, one of the most well-preserved Roman cities, often referred to as the 'Pompeii of the Middle East.' Stepping into this site feels like traveling back in time to a glorious era thousands of years ago. Hadrian's Arch is the most striking landmark at the entrance. This 13-meter-high arch was built to commemorate the visit of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Passing through the arch, I was greeted by the Oval Plaza, a unique oval-shaped square surrounded by a colonnade, which remains a symbol of Jerash's grandeur. Walking along the Cardo Maximus, the Roman columns tower on both sides, and the worn stone pavement evokes images of the bustling markets and shops that once thrived here. The well-preserved South and North Theaters are also impressive, with the South Theater boasting excellent acoustics, allowing voices from the stage to be heard clearly in the audience seats. This trip to Jerash gave me a profound appreciation for the scale and splendor of ancient Roman cities, and it is no wonder that it is considered one of Jordan's most astonishing archaeological sites!