Jordan's Historic Roman Sites

Located North of Amman - Umm Qays - Al Himma and Umm al Jimal

Aug 24, 2008

The historic Jordanian attractions of Umm Qays, Al Himma and Umm al Jimal are located north of the capital city Amman, but are sometimes neglected as tourists head south.

A visitor travelling through the countryside in this part of Jordan is blessed with the most evocative and dramatic scenery and it’s easy to reflect on some of the historic events that have unfolded in this area over the centuries. For many it is the highlight of a Jordanian visit.

Umm Qays

Umm Qays, ancient Gadara, is situated on an elevated spot around 150 miles from Amman, in the far north west of the country. Its location gives the visitor a stunning and uninterrupted view across to the Golan Heights and down on Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee)

It’s an area brimming with history, first occupied in the 7th century, and one of the Greco-Roman cities of the Decapolis, it’s the spot according to the Bible where Jesus, “cast out the Devil from two demoniacs into a herd of pigs” (Mathew 8:28-34)

A visitor should allow plenty of time to explore: the terrace of vaulted Roman shops, Roman baths complex, the Gate of Tiberias and the paved and colonnaded terrace.

The small museum in Umm Qays, housed in what used to be the Ottoman governor’s house, has a fascinating collection of archaeological artefacts. A viewing of the collections of mosaics, coins and statues gives the visitor a real insight into the lives of the people who have stayed here. It’s a great way to finish the tour.

Al Himma

Only six miles north from Umm Qays the roads winds down towards the Yarmouk River and the hot springs at Al Himma.

Today you can still do as the Romans did and bathe in the warm and relaxing mineral rich waters,either in a privately run facility or the public complex, which doesn’t allow mixed bathing.

Umm al Jimal

Umm al Jimal is situated close to the Syrian border and although its early history is unclear it is believed to have been a Nabatean city before falling to the Romans in the 1st century.

It has become known today as the Black Oasis because of the unusual black basalt volcanic rock used to construct its houses, temples and churches.

Unlike the Roman town of Jerash there were no grand public buildings, but the town is particularly interesting to historians and archaeologists because it gives an insight into the lives of ordinary people.

Today the town, which may in its heyday have had 10,000 inhabitants, is in ruins, a victim of the Persian invasion and an earthquake in 747CE.

However for those with a sense of history there are plenty of things to see and explore.

The copyright of the article Jordan's Historic Roman Sites in Jordan Travel is owned by Neil Gunn. Permission to republish Jordan's Historic Roman Sites in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.