Hamat Gader, Israel Tourism

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Jordanian territory), which in Hellenistic times became a center of Greek culture in the territories to the east of the Jordan. The modern town of Hamat Gader has preserved impressive remains of Roman baths, a synagogue and a Roman theater; but many visitors come to the town not for its archeological interest but for the pleasure of relaxing in its mineral swimming baths, with a choice between hot and cold pools. Hamat Gader is reached from Tiberias by taking a road which runs south, crosses the Jordan and passes through Ma'agan and the turning into a side road signposted to Sha'ar HaGolan. The distance from Tiberias is 20km/12.5mi.

History

Gadara was the home of the Greek satirical writer Menippus and the poet Meleager. In Roman times it was a member of the Decapolis, a league of ten cities including Scythopolis (Bet Shean) on the west bank of the Jordan and nine towns on the east bank, among them Damascus, Philadelphia (Amman), Pella and Gerasa (Jerash). For a time Gadara was the leading member of the league, which continued in existence into the second century A.D. and is mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 4,25; Mark 5,20 and 7,31).