Umm Qais
Jordan · Irbid · 370 m
Description
Umm Qais (أم قيس) is the site of ancient Gadara, a Decapolis city built from black basalt on a plateau in Jordan's far north. From the edge of the ruins the land drops away to the Yarmouk gorge, and on a clear morning the view takes in the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and the hills of southern Lebanon. Gadara was known in antiquity for its poets and philosophers, and the surviving West Theatre, colonnaded street and Byzantine basilica are all cut from the same dark volcanic stone. An Ottoman village sits directly on top of the ancient town, its houses built from reused Roman blocks. The site is quiet and largely uncommercialised, and the haze usually closes in by late morning, so early visits are far better.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 day
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – May or October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- West Theatre
- Panoramic Viewpoint over the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights
- Basilica Terrace
- Decumanus Maximus (Colonnaded Street)
- Octagonal Byzantine Church
- Umm Qais Museum (Beit Rousan)
- Ottoman Village
- Nymphaeum
- Umm Qais Resthouse Terrace
- Western Baths
- Monumental Gateway and West Gate
- Roman Tombs and Mausolea
- Roman Forum
- Hippodrome
- North Theatre
- Gadara Aqueduct (Qanat Fir'aun)
- Al-Himma Hot Springs (Mukheiba)(Day trip)
- Umm Qais Village Cycling Tour
- Yarmouk Forest Reserve(Day trip)
- Abila (Quwayliba)(Day trip)