Jarash, Pompeii of the East

Tuesday, April 7, 2025

Amman & Jarash Jordan

An incredible visit to the Jarash Archeological site proved that there is far more to Jordan than Petra. The stunning ruins of the ancient civilization in rival Pompeii. Our small but intrepid group got its first walking workout and two lavish meals complete with the traditional Jordanian specialties.

Jarash is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world, often called the “Pompeii of the East.” We saw grand colonnaded streets, temples, theaters, and plazas that illustrate life in a Greco-Roman city nearly 2,000 years ago. Known in antiquity as Gerasa, Jarash flourished under Roman rule and became a major trading hub.

A fancy, fun final dinner at the Kempinski resort was a massive meal of Makluba rice, saffron, spices, nuts vegetables and lamb served with great fanfare. We enjoyed a sunset scene with a view of the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. The Jordanian hospitality is augmented by the sparse number of foreign visitors. We were almost overwhelmed by the eager vendors and resort employees.