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Umm Qais means “Mother of Qais” and the translation of Qais means fence/wall; perfect for the name of a fortified city. It was captured by the Gadarenes and was later called Gadara. One of the cities of the Decapolis, Umm Qais was an important tactical location to protect the eastern reaches of the Roman Empire. The Roman ruins are mounted on a steep plateau with only one entry. An underground aqueduct was built to provide the city with drinking water. Its longest section ran for 94 km underground and is the longest known tunnel from ancient times. Umm Qais is also the site of the miracle of casting the legion of demons into a herd of swine. From the city’s tip you can look out to the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. The ruins include those of two theaters, a temple, a basilica, and many important buildings, telling of a once great and splendid city. A paved street, with double colonnade, ran from east to west. The city was largely destroyed by an earthquake around 747 AD, and the city was abandoned.
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