Top Attractions in Umm Qais

Umm Qais Essentials

Umm Qais, once known as the Decapolis city of Gadara, features a unique architectural blend of Roman ruins built from black basalt and white limestone. This site provides a historical overview of the region through its well-preserved theatres, a 6th-century Byzantine church, and an Ottoman-era village. Situated on a ridge, it offers panoramic views across the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River gorge, and the Golan Heights.

David Bjorgen / GFDL

Umm Qais

Umm Qais or Qays is a town in northern Jordan principally known for its proximity to the ruins of the ancient Gadara.

Gadara

Ancient Greco-Roman city and member of the Decapolis. The site features extensive ruins including colonnaded streets, baths, and temples constructed from local black basalt.

West Theatre

A 2nd-century theatre built entirely of black basalt. It originally accommodated 3,000 spectators and contains a distinctive headless statue of the goddess Tyche.

Allhmt

Elevated viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and the Yarmouk River valley.

Umm Qais Museum

Housed in the 19th-century Ottoman residence of the Beit Russan family. The collection includes Roman-era mosaics, ceramics, and marble statues excavated from the archaeological site.

Byzantine Church

Ruins of a 6th-century octagonal basilica built with basalt columns, situated adjacent to the main colonnaded street.

Colonnaded Courtyard

A paved Roman-era courtyard surrounded by basalt columns, located near the Byzantine church and the Western Theatre.

North Theatre

The remains of a large Roman theatre that once seated approximately 6,000 people. Much of its stone was repurposed for later constructions, leaving the foundations visible.

Western Mausoleum

A Roman-era funerary monument located west of the city gates, featuring a subterranean burial chamber and architectural fragments.