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Town in Irbid, Jordan
Photo: لا روسا, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Umm Qais is a Roman ruin in Northern Jordan.
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Site of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, Gadara was renowned in its time as a cultural centre. The ruins include a theatre, a colonnaded street, Roman shops, temples and houses, and a large Ottoman village that includes a museum.
Includes the tombs and black basalt pillars.
Made of black basalt as well and is markable for some of the seats having a back rest.
The remains of a five reedy basilica and an octagonal chapel.
A road with former shops above the basilica, apparently including a quite good restaurant.
Leading to the rest of an old doorway.
Jarmuk
Just north, behind which the Golan Heights are located.
To the northwest and part of the Sea of Galilee region.
This mount to the west with the impressive and beautiful Church of Transfiguration.
The Umm Qais Rest House is built in an Ottoman school on the site. The food is not cheap but is very good and the terrace has sweeping views over the valleys (including the Golan Heights and the site itself).
Umm Qais is about 25 km from Irbid and 110 km from Amman. Minibuses run from Irbid but it is much easier to get to by car, with ample parking.
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