Amman

Amman

Things to do - general

Amman, a hilly city made of white stone whose history goes back many a millennia. It is the capital of Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and is the largest city of the country. Amman got its name from Ammonites capital ʿRabath Ammon’ in Biblical Hebrew and before that ‘Philadelphia’ which is ancient Greek. It is now the residence of the King of Jordan, Abdullah II.

Situated on the East Blank Plateau, the city is built on seven hills. Three major wadis run through the city which characterise it. Amman is in the center of cities: Al-Salt, Al-Zarqa, Madaba, Al-Karak and Ma’an. The only remaining natural spring in Amman supplies fresh water to the Zarqa River.

Amman has a semi-arid climate classification due to its position on the mountains near the Mediterranean climate. Where summers are mildly hot and winters are not so cold with an occasional snowfall once or twice a year.

Being the capital of a diverse Kingdom, Amman accommodates numerous ruins and is yet a modern and lively city. Among European and Arab tourist it is the major tourist destination in the region.

Country Jordan
Visa Requirements

As per Jordanian Laws

Languages SpokenArabic, English, French
Currency UsedJordanian Dinar
Area (km2)1680

Sports & Adventure

The Rainbow Street is a beautiful street in Amman with the old Ottoman architecture and a variety of colorful graffiti. It gives an outlook of the traditional and historic image of the old times. The street comprises of many shops where you can do anything for fun. From shopping to dining to having your favorite ice cream and gelatos.

Al-Balad Music Festival is held annually in August every year. Musicians and artists from all over the East Arab come to Amman to perform.

Smoking shisha is a cultural trait of the Arabs. One cannot travel all the way to Amman and not experience the different flavors and aromas of shisha.

Sports and Adventure image

Things to do

The King Abdullah I Mosque, constructed between 1982 and 1989 is a sight to be seen. The mosque is capped by a magnificent blue mosaic dome which enhances its beauty as a whole.

A Roman-era Nymphaeum, constructed in 191 AD was a monument sacred to the Nymphs. At the centre is a fountain which was embellished with marble facings.

Rujm Al-Malfouf meaning twisted stone, consists of a series of circular shaped watchtowers from the Ammonite-era in the 2nd Century exists in the premises of the city. The watchtower is situated in Jabal Amman, next to the Ministry of Antiques.

The Jordan Museum is a large yet modern building in the center of Amman. It exhibits of the history of Jordan from Paleolithic times to the Byzantine times. The museum can be visited round counter-clockwise touring through the Greek (Hellenistic), to the Roman and to the Byzantine sections. Marking the end of the Ottoman Era, photographs from the Great Arab Revolt (1916) are also displayed in the museum.

The Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a) also known as the Amman Citadel is a historic site is on top of one of the seven hills or jabals which make Amman. It is located at the centre of the ancient and modern Amman. The Citadel includes some of the sites given below;

  • Dating back to the Bronze Age is the ‘1700 meter wall’ in this historic site.
  • The site also includes the famous ‘Temple of Hercules’ which was constructed by the Romans and today only the ruins remain of what was once a beautiful temple. The inscription of the temple dates it back to around 160 CE. The site is mainly popular for the hand of what was once a large Roman statue of Hercules which is a symbol the famous Roman hero’s strength. Two complete standing pillars as well as the ruins of four other pillars are also a part of this historic temple site.
  • Also located in the Citadel Hill (Jabal al-Qal'a) are the ruins of the ‘8th Century old Ummayad Palace’. It provides an age old historic image of the Umayyad dynasty, the first Muslim Dynasty. It is also famous for its grand domed entrance chamber which has been restored also known as "kiosk" or "monumental gateway".
  • The ‘Byzantine Church’ which goes back to the 5th and 6th centuries. The ruins of the church today only consist of some pillars, mosaics and floor plans.
  • The Jordan Archeological Museum which dates back to 600-8000 BCE. The museum displays the Ain Ghazal Statues which are made from lime plaster and reed. These statues are said to be Jordan’s most oldest and famous statues.

Other sites to be visited in Amman include The Royal Automobile Museum, constructed upon the wish of Jordan’s King Abdullah II in 2003, the museum showcases a rare collection of Jordan's best vehicles. The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts which comprises over 2000 works of different kinds. The folklore and cultural museums should also be visited which are a part of the Roman Theater.

Culture and History

The preserved Umayyad Palace complex from the 8th Century is a place which is known for its restored grand dome. The ruins of the Ummayad Palace located in the Amman Citadel provide a historic image of what was the first Muslim dynasty.

At the top of Jabal al Qala’a is the historic Citadel which includes the remaining pillars of the Roman Temple of Hercules and much more. This Citadel which is many millennia old, gives a history over the centuries.

Amman homes the largest museum in Jordan, The Jordan Museum. Much valuable archeological findings of the country are exhibited here which include Dead Sea Scrolls, Neolithic limestone statues of Ain Ghazal and a rare copy of Mesha Stele.

Other museums around Amman include the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Jordan Archaeological Museum, the Martyrs' Memorial and Museum, the Royal Automobile Museum, the Children’s Museum Jordan, the Museum of Parliamentary Life, the Jordan Folklore Museum, the Prophet Museum and some other museums at the University of Jordan.

Culture and history image

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