Synagogue-Church at Gerasa

The Synagogue-Church at Gerasa, located in northwestern Jordan, represents a significant site illustrating the transformation of religious architecture in late antiquity. Originally constructed as a Byzantine-era synagogue in the 3rd or 4th century CE, it features intricate mosaics, including depictions of Noah and the Flood, and inscriptions in Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek. The synagogue's design included a vestibule, nave, and a niche oriented towards Jerusalem. Under the anti-Jewish decrees of Emperor Justinian, the synagogue was converted into a church around 530-531 CE, with a new mosaic overlay and structural reorientation. This site provides valuable insights into the cultural and religious dynamics of the region during the Late Classical and Early Post-Classical periods.