Temple of Artemis, Jerash
Archaeological Site Roman temple ruins within Greco-Roman Jerash site
Jerash’s Temple of Artemis sits within the ancient city’s colonnaded streets and oval forum; tourists explore well-preserved Roman ruins, reconstructed theaters, and the archaeological park’s city-grid layout.
The Temple of Artemis at Jerash is a Roman-era temple built in the 2nd century CE in the ancient city of Gerasa, now Jerash in northern Jordan. It was dedicated to the goddess Artemis, who was a principal deity in the city’s civic religion.
The temple stands on a raised plaza and is approached by a wide flight of steps and a processional courtyard; the remains of its columned façade and podium are prominent features in the park. The site is noted for its proportion and for the quality of surviving stonework and fragments of column drums and capitals.
Originally constructed in the Roman period as part of Jerash’s major public and sacred buildings, the temple and its precinct were used for official cult ceremonies and city rituals. Like other structures in Jerash, it was affected by later earthquakes and phases of reuse.
The temple sits within the Jerash Archaeological Park in northern Jordan, a short distance from the modern city of Jerash and north of Amman, and is commonly visited as part of the broader excavated Roman city.
- Site context: Part of the larger Jerash (Gerasa) archaeological park, the temple sits on an elevated platform and was a focal point of civic and religious life in Roman Gerasa.
How to Get to Temple of Artemis, Jerash #
From Amman: drive north roughly 45-60 minutes (about 48 km) along the main Amman-Jerash road to the city of Jerash. There are also regular minibuses and scheduled intercity buses from Amman’s northern bus area that go to Jerash.
When you arrive at the modern town, the Jerash Archaeological Park is adjacent to the main bus/minibus drop-off and parking area; the Temple of Artemis sits inside the park and is a short walk (around 5-10 minutes) from the main park entrance.
Tips for Visiting Temple of Artemis, Jerash #
- Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the mid-day coach groups and harsh light; the Temple of Artemis sits close to Jerash's Oval Plaza so you can see it as part of a single loop through the main colonnaded cardo.
- Before or after the temple, stop at the small on-site Jerash Archaeological Museum to see artifacts that explain the site's phases-many visitors skip this contextual background and miss how the temple fits into the city.
- Take your time circling the temple to view both the frontal colonnade and the rear cella area and masonry details; guided walk-throughs from a licensed local guide will point out inscriptions and architectural features most visitors overlook.
Best Time to Visit Temple of Artemis, Jerash #
Best visited in spring (March-May) or autumn for mild weather and comfortable touring of the outdoor archaeological site.
Weather & Climate near Temple of Artemis, Jerash #
Temple of Artemis, Jerash's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 5°C to 32°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. The wettest month with 81 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (56 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 11°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is warm with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the warmest month with highs of 32°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
