Um Qais
Um Qais is the ancient Biblical city of Gadara. According to the Bible, it is the site where Jesus cast devils out of two men and into a herd of swine.
Located approximately 110 kilometers north of Amman, Um Qais sits on a hilltop overlooking the Golan Heights, offering spectacular views of the Sea of Galilee.
Historically, Gadara was one of the ten cities of the Decapolis and came under the rule of several civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Muslims. The city’s architecture, constructed primarily from distinctive black basalt stone, gives Um Qais its unique character and striking appearance.
During the Biblical era, Gadara was renowned as a center of learning and the performing arts. As is typical of Decapolis cities, a large theater dominates the site, and its exceptional acoustics remain remarkably well preserved to this day.
