Journey 40km north of Amman and you'll arrive at the ancient city of Jerash, a beautiful preserve of the Roman Empire. It is second only to Petra in tourist appeal and has a remarkable record of human settlement since Neolithic times. Few ancient towns are as well preserved and as complete as Jerash, a city complex that once was a thriving commercial zone and part of the Decapolis. Built in the 2nd century BC the city was conquered in 63 BC by the Roman General Pompey. It reached its peak in the 2nd century and declined after a series of Christian and Muslim invasions and by earthquakes in the mid 8th century.

The old provincial city exemplifies the finest of Roman urban life and today you can walk over the paved and colonnaded streets with impressions of chariot wheels still visible. You can also visit the grand theatres and spacious public squares, plazas and baths. Walk through the Roman Cardo running 700 metres north from the Oval Plaza and pass sky-piercing columns flanking you from both sides. There is lots more besides to see in Jerash as it is an archaeological paradise

The entrance to Jaresh used to be the Triumphal Arch built to honour the city's guests, but the main entrance now is the South Gate which leads you to the Oval Plaza which is overlooked by the Temple of Zeus. Beyond this Temple is the 2nd century South Theatre that seats 3000 people. Here you can see Greek inscriptions that bare the names of wealthy Gerasenes who helped to pay for its construction. Today the theatre is venue to Jordan's famous festival: the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts that takes place in July. If you're lucky enough to visit during this popular event you will be entertained by artists from around the world who perform live on stage with various genres of music, plays, comedy, dance and you will also have the opportunity to purchase traditional handicrafts.