Where the main street of Gerasa meets the hill of Zeus, the Oval Plaza opens into a great curving square framed by Ionic columns. Instead of the right angles of a typical Roman forum, its planners used an oval to join two streets that did not line up — and created one of the most memorable public spaces of the Roman world.
Where Is the Oval Plaza?
The plaza lies at the southern end of the Cardo Maximus, directly below the Sanctuary of Zeus. The South Theatre is a short walk to the south-west, and the South Gate a few minutes further south.
For most visitors it is the hinge of the visit: the southern monuments lie behind it, and the long colonnaded street leads north into the heart of the city.
Historical Context and Origin
The plaza was conceived in the 1st century AD as the link between the main street and the Sanctuary of Zeus. Its Ionic colonnade was probably built in the early 2nd century, under Emperor Trajan or soon afterwards. In the 2nd century small monuments in the centre gave the square religious and imperial meaning, and with the dedication of the Temple of Zeus in AD 162–163 it became the forecourt of the great temple above.
The plaza kept changing. The paving seen today was laid no earlier than the 4th century, and in late antiquity smaller buildings and houses spread into parts of the square.
Architectural Design
The plaza measures about 90 by 80 metres (295 by 262 feet). The Cardo Maximus arrives from the north, while the sanctuary sits on a different alignment on the hill to the south. Rather than force a sharp junction, the planners widened the street into an oval: the curved colonnade softens the change of direction and draws the eye towards the temple. As you walk around it, the columns overlap and the views keep changing.
The Ionic Colonnade
A curving ring of Ionic columns, probably built under Trajan, frames the square. Many were re-erected in modern times.
Why Oval?
The curve hides the misalignment between the Cardo Maximus and the approach to the sanctuary, turning an awkward junction into a landmark.
The Paving
The large limestone slabs seen today were laid no earlier than the 4th century AD.
The Central Monuments
A statue base, perhaps for priestesses, and a four-column tetrakionion that may have sheltered a statue of Hadrian.
Destruction, Rediscovery, and Restoration
Earthquakes brought down much of the colonnade, but the curve of standing columns made the Oval Plaza one of the best-known sights of Jerash long before modern excavation. Excavation and restoration in the 20th century re-erected the fallen columns and made the oval plan readable again.
Visiting the Oval Plaza Today
The plaza is the natural meeting point of any visit. For the classic view, stand at its northern end and look south towards the Sanctuary of Zeus; for the full oval, climb to the temple’s upper terrace and look down. At the opening of the Jerash Festival each summer, a column in the plaza holds the festival torch.
Early morning and late afternoon give the columns and paving more depth and are cooler — there is little shade in the open centre, so bring water and sun protection.
