Jerash Governorate

About Jerash Governorate
Also known as: Garshu, Ǧaraš, Gérasa

• Jerash Governorate (Arabic: محافظة جرش) is one of 12 governorates in Jordan. It is located in the northwestern side of the country. The capital of the governorate is the city of Jerash.

• Jerash Governorate has the smallest area of the 12 governorates of Jordan, yet it has the second highest density in Jordan after Irbid Governorate. Jerash Governorate is ranked 7th by population.

• Jerash is one of the richest agricultural areas in Jordan. Many crops are grown, especially olives, which are used in producing the finest types of oil that are pressed locally due to the presence of many traditional and modern presses. In Jerash there are some of the oldest olive trees in the region, some of which extend for hundreds of years and are called Locally with Roman olive trees, in reference to the era in which Jerash was a Roman city. Fruits and grains are also grown there, but to a lesser extent.

• The city of Jerash is considered one of the most important archaeological cities in the world. The history of this city dates back to the time of its founding during the reign of Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC. This city enjoyed calm, stability and peace and was greatly influenced by Roman civilization and became one of the ten cities (Decapolis).

• Jerash was inhabited as early as the Bronze Age (3200-1200 BC). was almost destroyed by earthquakes, but in 1806 a German archaeologist began excavation.
• Its heyday was the second and third centuries AD, and many of the buildings date to that period. Jerash is called "the Pompeii of the East," not because it was destroyed by a volcano, but because of its excellent preservation.
• These days Jerash is considered one of the largest and best-preserved Roman cities in the Near East. It was spectacular, one of the best if not THE best Roman ruins.

• The first structure perfectly restored wall that forms one end of the Hippodrome. It looks like a giant stone version of crocheted pillowcase edging.
• And immediately after that is the Arch of Hadrian, built to honor the emperor when he visited during the winter of 129/130 AD. It is one of the largest known arches of the Roman Empire and serves as the west entrance to the ruins.
• Greek inscriptions which once adorned the facade facing the city are now lying on the ground.
• Arches, columns, corners, intricate embellishment--how did they do that with stone?
• In about the 6th century AD, there was a thriving Christian community in Jerash. To date, thirteen different churches have been discovered. This one, the Church of Marianos, has a carpet of mosaics, with a few weedy flowers as decoration.
• An inscription in the foundation gives the date and other information about the building, a lot like our "Erected in [date], blocks found on the exterior walls.
• Although the hippodrome (a word that means "circus" in Latin) is the smallest known hippodrome in the Roman Empire, about 265 meters long and 76 meters wide. it is also the best preserved.
• The hippodrome was built in the 3rd century, but by the 4th century, one end was being used for gladiator fights.
• The Gate of Hadrian, Church of Bishop Marianos, and hippodrome are quite a ways from the rest of the old city, an indication that at one time there were plans to expand the city to that far point. A long road connects the distant structures to the main part of the city.
• An oil press has survived more or less intact for almost 1,800 years.
• Just inside the gate is the Eastern Souk, which used to house little shops and stalls.
• The walls are very complex, very ornamented.
• They were originally built by the Romans, but then expanded during the Byzantine era.
• The Oval Forum was built in the 1st century AD and is lined with 160 ionic columns.
• A colonnaded street, the "Cardo Maximus," paved with the original stones – the ruts worn by chariots are still visible – the 800m stretches out from the Oval Forum and traverses Jerash.
• The Temple of Zeus, one of two temples in Jerash, was built in about 160 AD. It is set on a hill, meant to be seen.
• Some of the best views of the ancient city are provided by the Temple of Zeus.
• South Theater, one of two theaters in Jerash.
• Built between 90-92 AD during the reign of Emperor Dormition, this theater is still used for special events and can seat 3,000 on its 32 rows of seats.
• The amphitheater has phenomenal acoustics, especially for an open air structure.
• Seat numbers are engraved in the stones and can still be seen in some places.
• The Church of Theodore, built in 496 AD, to the left of the amphitheater.
• The Temple of Artemis (daughter of Zeus, sister of Apollo). Like the Temple of Zeus, this temple is set up on a hill to be seen. It was built c. 135 AD. Eleven on the original twelve columns are still standing.
• North Theater, built around 160 AD, about 70 years after the South Theater. It originally seated "only" 800 (as compared to the 3,000 seats in the South Theater). Built during the reign of Marcus Aurelius, it was used as a council chamber, and then enlarged during the third century by adding upper rows of seats, bringing the capacity up to 1600.
• Niches and stalls behind hundreds of Corinthian pillars border the Cardo Maximus, indicating the level of commerce that once took place here.
• The final the Nymphaeum, an ornate public fountain built in 191 AD and dedicated to nymphs, the beautiful maidens who lived in the seas, rivers, mountains, meadows, and forests. This fountain particularly focused on water nymphs, and water sprayed from seven lions' heads into a basin in the floor. A half-dome roof used to sit on top of those supports.
• The carving here some of the most exquisite - anywhere else in the world, for that matter.
• Jerash is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Only 30 miles from Amman, Jerash is absolutely worth the detour.

Geographical location

Cities, towns, and villages

Climate

Archeological sites

• Jerash Archeological City (مدينة جرش الأثرية)
• Jerash Archeological Museum (متحف جرش الأثري)
• South Theater (المسرح الجنوب)
• North Theater (المسرح الشمالي)
• Nymphaeum or Nymphaion, monument consecrated to the nymphs (سبيل الحوريات)
• Jerash Umayyad Mosque (المسجد الأموي في جرش)
• Cathedral (كاتدرائية)
• Colonnaded Street/ Cardo Maximus (شارع الأعمدة أو كاردو)
• Oval Plaza (ساحة الندوة)
• Hippodrome (ميدان سباق الخيل (الهيبودروم))
• Hadrian’s Arch (قوس هارديان أو بوابة هادريان أو قوس النصر)

Jordanian cuisine

• Mansaf (المنسف): Mansaf is considered the national dish in Jordan. It is known in all regions without exception. It is served on occasions such as wedding banquets, holidays, and at funeral tables as well.
• Makmoura: It is a well-known dish in the villages of northern Jordan.
• Kibbeh or kebab: It is one of the dishes that is prepared in all regions, as its spread extended from the villages north of Irbid, such as the villages of Bani Kenana.
• Al-Mutabbaq (Mutabbaq): It is known as one of the good dishes in the villages of Al-Taybeh and Al-Wasatiya Districts, and it is smaller than Al-Makmoura.
• Maqluba/Magluba (مقلوبة): A casserole made of layers of rice, vegetables and meat. After cooking, the pot is flipped upside-down onto the plate when served, hence the name maqluba which translates literally as "upside-down".
• Musakhan (مسخّن): Dish composed of roasted chicken baked with onions, sumac, allspice, saffron, and fried pine nuts served over taboon bread. It is also known as muhammar (Arabic: محمر).
• Maftul (مفتول): Large couscous-like balls, garbanzo beans and chicken pieces cooked in chicken broth.
• aldafin Freekeh (فريكة)
• Al-Jajil (Kaakil or Shaashil), all Jordanian governorates share the same popular dishes, due to the similarity between the regions and are considered one of the popular dishes.
• Shishbarak (ششبرك): Also known as Joshpara. A sort of dumpling or jiaozi dish. After being stuffed with ground beef and spices, thin wheat dough parcels are cooked with jameed then served hot. Another name for this dish is shishbarak.
• Galayet bandora (قلاية بندورة): Tomatoes sauteed and stewed with onions, olive oil, salt, and hot peppers, it can be served with rice but is more commonly eaten with bread in Jordan,It is indispensable for all classes of people in all governorates.
• Falafel (فلافل): Balls of fried chickpea flour and Middle Eastern spice. Dipped in every mezze, especially hummus. The Jordanian falafel balls tend to come in smaller sizes.
• Hummus, Ful medames (حمص وفول مدمس): These are foods usually served for breakfast, especially on Fridays. They are also served as appetizers for lunch and dinner.

Sweets

• Baklava (بقلاوة)—a dessert made with thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and soaked in honey or syrup.
• Knafeh (كُنافة)—a cheese pastry of shredded phyllo soaked in sugar-based syrup.
• Qatayef (قطايف)—a sweet dumpling stuffed with cream and pistachios. Consumed during Ramadan.
• Warbat (وربات)—a pastry of thin layers of phyllo pastry filled with custard. Often eaten during the month of Ramadan.

Area and population

• Population of Jerash Governorate: (280,700)
• Governorate area:- (410 km²) (160 mi²)

Pompeii (بومبي أو پُمْپِيِي) is an ancient Roman city in Italy, where the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred in 79 AD, causing volcanic debris to fall over the city and it remained buried under 4 to 6 meters (13 to 20 feet) for 1,700 years , which preserved the archaeological remains perfectly, and it was finally discovered with everything remaining in its original state during that period.