Ancient Gadara

Umm Qais (or Umm Qays) is the site of the ancient Greco-Roman city of Gadara, a member of the Decapolis. The city is mentioned in the New Testament as the site where Jesus cast out demons and sent them into pigs, who then ran into the sea (Matthew 8:28-34).

Since excavations began in 1974, archaeologists have uncovered many impressive remains, including a colonnaded street, a theater, a mausoleum and a Byzantine church. The ruins lie in lush hill country overlooking the Golan Heights and the Sea of Galilee.