Jerash and Ajloun

Today, we visited Ajloun and Jerash.  The latter is known as the 'Pompeii of the East'. Here is how our SIT hosts presented the information about both:

Jerash is one of the best preserved and most complete Roman cities in the world. It was a member of the Decapolis group of cities, one of the ten biggest Roman cities. With a rich history going back several thousand years, the site is very expansive and lies in a green and fertile valley nestling in the hills of Gilead. Visitors wander among colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, plazas and baths that lie within the ancient walls. The site is breathtaking and archaeologists are still revealing more all the time.

Ajloun Castle:  20 minutes drive west of Jerash.  Sitting atop a high peak is the 12th century Arab fortress of Ajloun. Visible from all directions, the castle was originally built in 1184 by a nephew of the great Arab leader Salahaddin (Saladin).  It was used as a base in his successful campaign to drive the Crusaders from Jordan.




 

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