Umm Qays
About This Museum
People come to Umm Qays for the postcard-perfect view, where you can stand on ancient black basalt stones and see the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and a sliver of the Jordan Valley all at once. But what truly captivated me was wandering through the sprawling ruins of Gadara itself, a city of poets and philosophers that whispers its stories from every carved stone. I ran my hands over the cool, dark rock of the stunning Ottoman-era house and got lost in the eerie silence of the underground mausoleum. It’s one thing to read about Decapolis cities; it’s another to walk their colonnaded streets as the wind rustles through the wild grasses.
Collection Highlights
The main attraction is the sprawling site itself—the well-preserved Roman theater carved into the hillside, the hauntingly beautiful West Theater with its panoramic backdrop, and the intricate Byzantine church floor mosaics. Don't miss the small museum in the old Ottoman house, which holds delicate statues and everyday objects that make ancient life feel immediate.
Visitor Information
Wear good walking shoes because you'll be covering a lot of uneven ground. The sun can be intense, so bring water and a hat—there's little shade aside from inside the old house museum. It's best to visit in the morning or late afternoon for softer light and more comfortable temperatures.
Architecture & Building
The ruins are a fascinating mix of Hellenistic urban planning with grand Roman additions like colonnaded streets and theaters, all built from distinctive dark basalt stone. The restored Ottoman village houses, also made of this same black rock with their characteristic arched windows, sit right alongside the ancient structures.
Contact & Location
Address: Gadara, Decumanus Maximus, أم قيس, قضاء بني كنانة, لواء بني كنانة, إربد, الأردن
Website: Visit Website
