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Amman Biblical Sites
Islamic Sites Nature
& Eco Reserves Red
Sea Corals
Petra & Wadi Rum Mosaic
Sites Jerash
& The Desert Castles
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S i t e
s i n J o r d a n
Amman
History meets modernity
A
sprawling city spread over 19 hills, or jebels.
Amman is the modern, as well as the ancient capital of
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Known
as Rabbath-Ammon during prehistoric periods and later as
Philadelphia, the ancient city was once part of the Decapolis
league, now boasts a population of around 1.5 million.
Often
referred to as the white city due to its low size canvas of
stone houses, Amman offers a variety of historical sites and
modern facilities that is complemented by wonderfully gracious
and welcoming people.
Amman,
the site of the earliest fortifications is now subject to
numerous excavations which have revealed remains from the
Neolithic period as well as from the Hellenestic and late Roman
to Arab Islamic Ages. The
site which is known as the Citadel includes many structures such
as the Temple of Hercules. The Omayyad Place and the Byzantine
church.
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At
the foot of the Citadel lines the 6000 seat Roman Theater which is
deep – sided bowl carved into the hill and still used for
cultural events. Another newly restored theater is the 500 – seat Odeon,
which is used for concerts.
The three museums found in the area offer a glimpse of
history and culture, they are the Jordan Archaeological Museums,
the Folklore Museum and the Museum of Popular Tradition.
Amman is an excellent base to explore the environs and many
interesting half-day or full-day trips can be arranged.
The ancient town of Salt and the traditional villages of
Fuheis and Kan Zaman, for example, are less than an hour away and
feature traditional restaurant, handicrafts complexes and
picturesque streets from ancient times.
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In
addition to these significant sites, the Cave of the Seven
Sleepers resides in Jordan. This cave is mentioned in The Holy
Qur’an. Often
referred to as “the white city,” Amman’s houses are built
on many hillsides and form a great canvas of overlapping
designs, archers and whites.
The outstanding whiteness is the result of the white
stones of the country used in construction – rough hewn,
smooth or lightly veined and even polished white marble.
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Still
rapidly growing, Amman is a busy commercial and administrative
center with many fine hotels, night clubs and discos as well as
modern facilities for sporting events, conventions and
conferences. There
is a wide spectrum of restaurants to meet every taste, offering
choices of food ranging from Arabic through a variety of
international specialties and fast food.
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