Hippodrome — Attraction in Jarash

The smallest hippodrome on record in the Roman Empire and yet the best preserved/restored. The building was erected between 150-200 AD, and it was reused for different purposes after an earthquake made the hippodrome unstable for races at the second half of the fourth century. The damaged areas were then quarried and blocks were reused for the repairing of the city wall flanking the South Gate. The room across the Church of Marianos became the deacon's house which has nice mosaic floor (see review images). Other rooms became pottery kilns and tombs. The earthquake of 748 AD brought all secondary industrial activity in the Hippodrome to an absolute end.

After a long hiatus, the Roman legionary drill and gladiators fight that performs at this premises, seems to have returned. Morning show starts at 11 or 11:30 am and costs 12 JOD.

You can enter the Hippodrome from the main eastern gate, turn right and walk through the arena exiting by the northern entrance. After that, you have to turn right to rejoin the main thoroughfare to proceed to the visitor's center. There are...

Hippodrome. Most of the ancient Roman cities, invariably had a hippodrome and a amphitheatre for public entertainment. Archaeological site of ancient Roman city of Gerasa,also had a Hippodrome for sports and chariot racecs. Remains of seating stands and turming post for chariot races at northern end of the hippodrome can be seen. Overgrown weeds along the seating stands and the turning posts incicate a bit of neglect. Littke effort putin to remove the weeds will give a better look to the site. Hippodrome is widely used as a short cut to go to other attractions further north thi has createrd a good footh path right through the moddel...

Like Hadrian’s Arch, the restored Hippodrome also stands outside AD the old city walls and southern gate of Jerash. It was constructed in the 2nd century for chariot racing and gladiator events. Designed to hold up to 15,000 spectators, our guide said it was the smallest in the Roman Empire. Chariot shows are performed here, but all was quiet when we...