The colonnade of Jerash's Oval Plaza

Jerash

Jerash · Jerash Governorate, north of Amman, Jordan

Foto: Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0

Hadrian's Arch, the Oval Plaza and a well-preserved Roman theatre — a complete Roman city from the empire's eastern provinces.

Antes de ir · Know before you go

  • Don't climb or carve on the ruins
  • follow instructions during performances in the theatre.

Este artículo está «Sin verificar». Consulte los avisos oficiales sobre precios, horarios y fechas.

Culture

Cultura y costumbres

Contexto cultural

Jerash, anciently Gerasa, was one of the Roman Decapolis; the triumphal arch was built for Emperor Hadrian's visit in the 2nd century. The Oval Plaza, ringed by an Ionic colonnade, is a model of Roman town planning, and the South Theatre seats about 3,000 and is still used for performances. Abandoned and buried after the great earthquake of 749, the city survived remarkably intact and is called 'the Pompeii of the East'.

Costumbres locales

  • Jerash is Jordan's second most visited destination, and locals are proud of their ancient city
  • in summer the Jerash Festival stages concerts in the theatre.

Religión y creencias

  • The site includes remains of Byzantine churches
  • modern Jordan is mainly Muslim, and ordinary respect is all that's needed.

Etiquette

Normas y tabúes

Normas que se aplican aquí

Línea rojaSeguridadJordan

Jordan: stay out of canyons in the rainy season

  • From November to March, check the weather before entering a canyon, and wait at least a day after heavy rain
  • If a flash flood comes, move to higher ground
  • Entering a canyon after heavy rain
  • Trying to wade through floodwater

In the rainy season, canyons can flood suddenly and are very dangerous; call 911 for rescue.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Jordan travel advice

Línea rojaModales cotidianosJordan

Jordan: don't stay in Petra outside opening hours

  • Enter and leave at the park's set hours
  • If you have questions about ticket prices or extra charges, ask at the visitor centre first
  • Staying in Petra Archaeological Park after closing

You may be arrested and prosecuted; visitors have been locked in the park overnight.

Verificado el 19 oct 2026Fuente: GOV.UK: Jordan travel advice

No lo haga DON'T

  • Don't climb or carve on the ruins
  • follow instructions during performances in the theatre.

Lo que aprecian los locales DO

Locals like to bring their children to picnic in the ancient city and know its Roman stories well.

Plan your visit

Información práctica

Consejos de viaje

  • The site is open with little shade, so in summer bring water and sun protection and go early in the morning
  • it can be combined with the Amman Citadel on the same day. The South Theatre has a daily bagpipe performance (a tradition of Jordanian army bands) worth catching. Check tickets on the official website
  • the site is large, so allow at least 3 hours.

Eat nearby

Qué comer cerca

Imprescindible

  • Mansaf
  • Maqluba
  • Grilled meat and Arabic flatbread

Mansaf, maqluba, grilled meat with Arabic flatbread, falafel sandwiches, kanafeh (cheese pastry in syrup)

Dónde comerRestaurants outside the gates of ancient Jerash / in town (a cluster of local grill houses); back in Amman for old kanafeh shops
Normas en la mesaUse your right hand; keep a low profile during Ramadan
Precio orientativo por personaJOD 7–13 ≈ CNY 70–130
ConsejosThere are no proper meals inside the ruins — top up on water at the shops by the gate; summer sun is fierce, so eat first and then explore, or go in early in the morning.

Los precios son orientativos a octubre de 2026, no presupuestos exactos; en zonas con tipos de cambio muy variables solo se da un intervalo aproximado en yuanes.

Mansaf
Mansaf
Ji-Elle · CC BY-SA 4.0

Photos

Fotos

Fuentes y notas de verificación

Wikipedia:Jerash