Nymphaeum | Jerash

Information

Landmark: Nymphaeum
City: Jerash
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Nymphaeum, Jerash, Jordan, Asia

The Nymphaeum is a two-story Roman public fountain located along the western side of the Cardo Maximus in the ancient city of Gerasa, Jerash. It served as the primary ornamental water distribution point for the city center, dedicated to the water nymphs.

Visual Characteristics

The structure features a 22-meter-wide facade constructed from local pinkish-tan limestone. The lower level is decorated with marble slabs and Corinthian columns, while the upper level is characterized by a series of semi-circular and rectangular niches. Seven carved lion heads originally functioned as water spouts, directing water into a large red granite basin situated at the base of the monument.

Location & Access Logistics

The monument is positioned approximately 600 meters north of the Oval Plaza along the Cardo Maximus. Access is through the Jerash Archaeological Park main entrance (South Gate). Visitors must walk north on the main colonnaded street; no motorized vehicles are permitted within the park. The nearest parking is the central lot at the Jerash Visitor Center, 50km north of Amman.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Constructed in 191 CE during the reign of Emperor Septimius Severus, the fountain was designed to showcase the city's wealth and engineering capabilities. Water was transported to the site via a sophisticated aqueduct system from the nearby Birketein pools. The architectural style follows the Antonine tradition of grand, decorative urban fountains common in the Roman Near East.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can inspect the remaining marble cladding and the intricate carvings of the acanthus leaves on the Corinthian capitals. The deep niches once housed bronze and marble statues, some of which are now held in local museums. Observing the granite basin allows for the study of ancient water pressure management and drainage channels carved into the stone.

Infrastructure & Amenities

There are no amenities located directly at the fountain; the closest restrooms and shade are 400 meters south near the South Theatre. The site is completely open-air and exposed to high levels of UV radiation. 4G and 5G cellular coverage is reliable throughout this section of the ruins. All food and beverage vendors are located outside the archaeological park boundaries.

Best Time to Visit

Morning visits between 08:00 and 11:00 provide the best light for highlighting the architectural details on the east-facing facade. The months of March and April are ideal for avoiding extreme temperatures. Photography during the midday sun can be difficult due to harsh shadows within the recessed niches.

Facts & Legends

A local engineering detail is the use of lead pipes and gravity-fed pressure to launch water from the lion heads into the basin, a feat of Roman hydraulics. A persistent legend suggests that the fountain's water was believed to have healing properties granted by the nymphs, leading ancient travelers to stop here before entering the sacred precincts of the nearby temples.