Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and topped with a half dome. Water would cascade over the facade into a large pool at the
front, with the overflow pouring out through seven carved lions' heads into drains in the
street below.
Although it's been quite some time since water poured forth from the nymphaeum, the
well-preserved structure remains one of the highlights of Jerash. Several finely sculpted
Corinthian columns still frame the fountain, and there is a lovely pink-granite basin at its
base, which was probably added by the Byzantines. At one point the entire structure was
capped by a semi-dome in the shape of a shell, and you can still make out the elaborate
capitals lining the base of the ceiling.
Cathedral
Next to the nymphaeum, an elaborate staircase rises from the cardo maximus to the city's
only cathedral. Little more than a modest Byzantine church, it was constructed in the
second half of the 4th century on the site of earlier temples. At the height of its glory, the
cathedral consisted of a soaring basilica supported by three naves, and boasted a magnifi-
cent portal that was finely decorated with elaborate marble carvings.
CHURCH
Southern Tetrapylon
Marking the intersection with the
south decumanus
, this four-pillared structure is in good
repair. Nearby on the western side of the cardo maximus is the
agora
Offline map
Google map
or
macellum
, where people gathered for public meetings around the central
fountain.
MONUMENT
Museum
( 6312267; admission free; 8.30am-6pm Oct-Apr, to 5pm May-Sep)
Before you fin-
ish exploring the ancient city, visit the small museum just above the forum. It houses a
small but worthwhile selection of artefacts from the site, such as mosaics, glass, gold jew-
ellery and coins found in a tomb near Hadrian's Arch. Almost as good as the exhibits is
the view the hill affords of Jerash, ancient and modern, spread either side of the town's de-
fining wadi.
MUSEUM
