Umm Qais is tucked right into the north-western corner of Jordan, overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Although there is some controversy, many Biblical scholars believe Umm Qais (also known as Gadara) is where Jesus cast the demons out of a man into a herd of pigs that then ran down the slopes into the Sea of Galilee. Umm Qais was one of the cities of the Graeco-Roman Decapolis federation, and is one of the more pleasing ruined cities to explore. Part of this is the imposing black basalt used in much of the construction (the theatre is almost intact and particularly impressive), part is the dramatic location with the sweeping views over Galilee and part of it is the fact that latter Arab inhabitants built their dwellings atop the Classical remains, using similar materials, making for an interesting juxtaposition of architectural styles.
