Known as Gadara in ancient times, modern Umm Qays is in the northernmost part of Jordan, just south and east of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan. Founded by the Ptolomies as a military post after the death of Alexander the Great in the 3^rd century BC, Gadara was a member of the Decapolis during Roman times. There are significant Roman and Ottoman ruins, including two amphitheaters, in the area,. From the guesthouse one can enjoy sweeping views of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan.

The biblical significance of Gadara comes from its claim to be the setting for the tale of the Gerasene swine, told in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In this story, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee and entered the country of the Gerasenes, where a man had been possessed by a multitude of evil spirits. Jesus caused these spirits to leave the man and enter a great herd of swine that were grazing nearby. The pigs then charged down into the Sea of Galilee and drowned. Terrified at what they had seen, the people of Gadara implored Jesus to leave, which he did. The man whom Jesus had helped wanted to go with him, but Jesus requested that he stay behind to tell his story (Mark 5:20) "So the man went off and proceeded to spread throughout the Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him."