Hippodrome

Location :

• Jesús Díaz

  26 March 2018

  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 toilets there.

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• Jesús Díaz

  12 February 2018

  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.
  
  There used to be a Roman legionary drill and gladiators fight show at this premises, but not anymore.
  
  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 toilets there.

  response / report this review
• Jesús Díaz

  18 November 2017

  The smallest hippodrome on record in the Roman Empire and yet the best preserved/restored. The building was reused for different purposes after an earthquake made the hippodrome unstable for races. The room across the Church of Marianos used to be the deacon's house and has a mosaic floor. Other rooms have pottery kilns and tombs.
  
  There used to be a Roman legionary drill and gladiators fight show at this premises, but not anymore.

  response / report this review
• Jesús Díaz

  17 October 2017

  The smallest hippodrome on record in the Roman Empire and yet the best preserved/restored. The building was reused for different purposes after an earthquake made the hippodrome unstable for races. The room across the Church of Marianos used to be the deacon's house and has a mosaic floor. Other rooms have pottery kilns and tombs.
  
  There used to be a Roman lectionary drill and gladiators fight show at this premises, but not anymore.

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• Omar Mahassneh

  17 April 2017

  Well represented history of this place through organized activities.

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• Yushi Jozuka

  28 July 2016

  Just like athletic area. It may be very attractive when they have festival with horses with people in ancient clothes. Normal time, nothing.
  

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• Carlos Leonidas

  11 June 2016

  Big and bold, love it.

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• Robert Cooke

  29 March 2016

  There is not all that much left and 1 of the less impressive sites in Jerash but it's right beside Hadrian's arch and worth looking at.

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• Mohannad Safadi

  15 March 2016

  The hippodrome is not in the beat shape, but it is amazing to know that they used to race on such a high track. It is sort of scary to think if the horse goes crazy you might fall of the hill. You can actually ride horses around the hippodrome to get the real Roman experience.

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