Umm Qais was one of the Decapolis cities, just as Amman and Jerash. In earlier times it was known as Gadara, where Jesus miracle sent the demented spirits out of two men into a herd of swine who ran down the hill and drowned in the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-30).

Umm Qais is built out of black basalt on a hill top overlooking the lake of Galilee and the Golan Heights. Worth visiting are the theatre, the church with its gallery, the black sarcophagi and an underground mausoleum. From the terrace of the guesthouse you may admire the splendid panoramic view.