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It competes with Pompeii, so it is not easy.

And it is that the Jordanian city of Jerash is classified as the second best preserved in the

in the world after the Italian, infinitely more famous, but not for that reason more interesting.

In fact, some of the remains of this ancient city located

, Amman, remain even better than those of Pompeii despite not having been covered by lava from a volcano.

Not surprisingly, it is the second best-maintained Roman city in the entire Middle East.

Hence, it is called the Pompeii of the Arab world and it is the most visited place in Jordan after

Only its entrance through

is a sample of the splendor that it monopolized in ancient times.

It sports a triple arch raised to honor the visit of the homonymous emperor in the winter of the year 129. Its height is

and it is estimated that it was twice that height and that it had wooden doors.

The Oval Plaza of ancient Gerasa.JTB

The so-called Gerasa was a member of the Decapolis, the federation of 10 cities (among which were also

Philadelphia -the current Amman- or Escitópolis, in Israel) that fought

for the leadership of this region on the border eastern Roman Empire.

The Way of Egeria

In the second half of the 1st century, it reached

as a commercial strategic point, but an earthquake in 749 caused its destruction and its abandonment for more than 10 centuries.

did not begin until 70 years ago

(although no more than 30% of the total has been discovered), which brought to light authentic treasures such as the

with a size of 90 meters long by 80 meters wide , elliptical shape and surrounded by 56 impressive Ionic columns.

Representation in the hippodrome of the Roman city.JTB

Jerash also exhibits numerous temples such as that of Artemis, theaters, houses, shops,

and gladiator fights

are currently represented.

.

The Roman road that ran through it, designed by the Iberian emperor Trajan, can also be explored and you can even see the traces of the horse-drawn carriages that passed through it.

The triumphal arch of Adriano.JTB

Obviously, it is not the only historical site in Jordan.

Not surprisingly, the country is also proud of having a tour of unique biblical enclaves that could start with the Dead Sea, which appeared in the Holy Scriptures under the name of salt, from Arabah (the valley in which it is located). or from the East, as that is its orientation with respect to the Promised Land.

In addition, Jesus himself

in the Jordan River in the Bethany area, on the border line with Israel.

Today, it is a sanctuary recognized by Pope John Paul II.

Around it, churches of different religions and hostels welcome pilgrims from all over the planet.

Monolith of Mount Nebo, where Moses died.JTB

We continue on

, the place where Moses died contemplating the desired Canaan.

Rising 849 meters high, a plaque points to Jericho, Jerusalem or the

the same landscape that the Galician Egeria, considered the first Hispanic traveler and writer, surveyed after completing her

between the years 381 and 384. He recounted it in his book

.

Today, a new hiking and cultural route in his name,

designed by tour guide Óscar Koshebye (from a Jornada family, but born in Spain), will cover part of his feat

over six stages.

Part of the new Path of Egeria.I.

GARCIA

The Bible tour continues at

the mountain from which the eponymous prophet ascended to heaven.

Then we would arrive at the Maqueronte fortress where Salome danced before Herod Antipas before asking him for the

, as well as the cave where he died beheaded.

would be missing ,

which before being destroyed by God "with fire and brimstone" were next to the Dead Sea.

Salt, the ancient capital of Jordan

The tour of the country cannot end without visiting the

the first capital of Jordan and a pioneer in having a hospital, school, electricity or running water in homes.

Today, it is worth taking a walk through its medieval streets dotted with

with rooftops where you can try the national dish,

(a characteristic and forceful rice with lamb and almonds seasoned with goat's milk sauce). ).

Write down this name to taste it:

.

The person in charge is Fátima Zou'bi through a

so that they can be economically independent.

She is in charge of cooking for her guests in her own house, which she also invites to visit, starting with the room full of photographs with

, whom she reveres.

"She has come several times and always supports us a lot," says Fátima.

What's more, in this house the Jordanian met her counterpart in the Netherlands,

after she said she wanted to meet her.

So good was the connection that they later traveled together to

In addition to having lunch, at Zou'bi House you can also take a cooking class, get henna tattoos or even try on the typical clothing of the country.

Complete local experience.

Fatima, head of Zou'bi House in Salt.I.

GARCIA

PRACTICAL GUIDE

HOW TO GET.

Royal Jordanian

and

fly to Amman from Spain.

WHERE TO SLEEP.

Grand Hyatt Amman

.

A perfect five-star as an operations base in the capital to then tour the entire country.

In addition, cities like Jerash are just a 40-minute drive away.

Mövenpick Petra and Dead Sea.

Perfect for getting to know Petra (the first one is located right at the entrance) and the Dead Sea.

Captain's Desert Camp.

Bedouin camp in the Wadi Rum desert, another of the country's must-sees.

WHERE TO EAT.

Local cuisine in

(Amman) and

(Wadi Musa).

Women's Cooperative

,

(Amman) and

(Salt) offer personalized culinary experiences.

MORE INFORMATION.

On the website of the

www.visitajordania.com, in Spanish.

You can follow

on

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