Umm Qays "Gadara"
Site of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, Gadara was renowned in
its time as a cultural centre. It was the home of several classical
poets and philosophers, including Theodorus, founder of a rhetorical
school in Rome, and was once called “a new Athens” by a poet.
Perched on
a splendid hilltop overlooking the Jordan Valley and the Sea of
Galilee, Gadara is known today as Umm Qays, and boasts an impressive
colonnaded street, a vaulted terrace, and the ruins of two theatres.
You
can take in the sights and then dine on the terrace of a fine
restaurant with a breathtaking view.
Pro-tip: While some tourists
drive directly from Amman to Umm Qais, most take the opportunity to
visit Jerash or Ajloun along the way
