Works of art to see Jordan

This gate was the main entrance of the four entrances to the city, before the expansion project symbolized by Hadrian's Arch. It is also the official entrance to the ancient site of Jerash. It is said to have been built in the 2nd century and has the particularity of being pierced directly into the city wall. The decorations of this monument are composed of sculptures of acanthus leaves, characteristic of this time. It inspired the construction of Hadrian's Arch. Do not miss the oil press on the left after the gate.

The northern gate, also known as the Arch of Trajan, marked the entrance to the city. It was built in 115 on the orders of the governor Claudius Severus in order to welcome travellers on the newly constructed Trajanic road from Gerasa to Pella. The arch is more than 20 metres high and is punctuated by vaulted niches framed by Corinthian half-columns. The street was paved and lined with columns, giving the place a certain majesty. Few visitors venture here, as this section of the Cardo maximus is never more than a dead end.

This bridge connected the centre of the city of Gerasa to the eastern baths, located behind the mosque. The bridge was built on the axis of the South Decumanus (the artery that ran through the city from east to west), 74 metres long, and spanned the Chrysorhoas River, now renamed Wadi Jerash. The bridge that can be admired today is a reconstruction of the old one, although some parts of the original remain, including some beautiful arches. Part of the original bridge is covered by the construction of the new city.

The site of the ancient city is punctuated with grated wells leading to underground tunnels. It is an aqueduct of 160 km which was used to supply the city of Gadara with water, of which 94 km are underground. It is the longest aqueduct ever discovered in the Roman Empire, which connected Mount Hermont to Gadara via Abila. Recently, archaeologists have discovered that some of these tunnels were also used to defend the city from possible invaders, allowing the supply of food or the escape in case of siege

At the foot of the stairs leading to Muallaqat Al-Deir, you will notice the remains of an aqueduct dating from Roman times. It is not very impressive, but the portion that is still standing includes an arch that you can walk under. The water flowed over it and was used to irrigate crops. Wadi Sir means "the valley of orchards" and trees still grow in abundance. The galloping development of Amman has changed the landscape. It is likely that in a few years, the city will have caught up with this bucolic corner.