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Ruins of ancient Gadara at Umm Qais

North Jordan

Umm Qais (Gadara)

A Greco-Roman city of black basalt on a ridge above the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights and the Yarmouk gorge.

  • Included in the Jordan Pass

Ancient Gadara was one of the Decapolis, the league of ten Greco-Roman cities, and a centre of poets and philosophers. Its West Theatre is built entirely of black basalt, and the paved main street still shows the ruts of chariot wheels.

What makes Umm Qais special is the view: on a clear day you see three countries from the Ottoman-era village at the top of the hill. Christian tradition places the miracle of the Gadarene swine nearby.

Don't miss

  • The black-basalt West Theatre
  • Colonnaded decumanus street
  • Views over the Sea of Galilee and Golan
  • Ottoman village and Beit Rousan museum
Ruins of ancient Gadara at Umm Qais Umm Qais, the Decapolis city of Gadara Archaeological site of Umm Qais in northern Jordan Roman-era ruins of Umm Qais Historic stone buildings of Umm Qais

Tours that visit Umm Qais (Gadara)

Nearby

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