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Amman Maps & Attractions Guide
Amman maps & Attractions - Things to do
in Amman
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Amman
Attractions - Things to do
1. Citadel Hill
Jabal al-Qala'a
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What is it? From its position on top of a hill
overlooking the city, the Citadel stands testament to the history
of Amman, with its ancient ruins and excavated relics, alongside
those from throughout the country, housed in the Jordan
Archaeological Museum. It is the site of the ancient capital
Rabbath-Ammon and numerous excavations have revealed Stone Age
remains as well as those from the Roman to the Islamic periods. The
site contains several structures including the impressive Omayyad
Palace (al-Qasr), a small Byzantine basilica and what was once the
Temple of Hercules, the Great Temple of Ammam. Also on the site is
the Jordan Archaeological Museum, which has an excellent collection
of artefacts from Jordan dating back to the earliest settlement in
the region over 700,000 years ago. The Dead Sea Scrolls, Iron Age
sarcophagi and a copy of the Mesha Stele are its most important
exhibits.
Hours of Operation: Museum: Daily 9am to 5pm (winter), 9am to 7pm
(summer); Friday and holidays 10am to 6pm
Phone:(0)6 463 8795 (museum) |
2. Roman Theatre
Quraysh Street, Downtown
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What is it? Below the Citadel is the magnificent Roman
amphitheatre, an impressive relic from ancient Philadelphia that is
cut into the hill and can seat up to 6,000 people. The theatre is
still used occasionally for events today. Two cultural museums form
part of the complex: the Jordan Folklore Museum, which has exhibits
on traditional life, and the Museum of Popular Traditions with
traditional costumes and mosaics from 4th to 6th century Jordan
churches.
Hours of Operation: Jordan Folklore Museum: daily 9am to 5pm; Fridays
10am to 4pm. Museum of Popular Traditions: 9am to 5pm; closed
Tuesdays
Phone: |
3. Jerash
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What is it? Situated about 31 miles (50km) north of Amman
is one of the top attractions in Jordan, the ancient city of
Jerash, which is considered to be one of the best preserved Roman
sites in the world. Its exceptional state of preservation is due to
the fact that it was buried in sand for centuries and the
magnificent baths, theatres, temples, arches, columns and stone
chariot-rutted streets have long attracted scholars and tourists
from across the world to admire the most complete city in the Roman
Decapolis. Excavations dating to the Neolithic Age have indicated
that Jerash was continuously occupied for more than 6,500 years.
Today visitors can marvel as the ancient amphitheatre comes to life
at the annual Jerash festival of Culture and Arts in July, where
artists from around the globe sing, dance, act and play music on
stage in a celebration of Jordanian and international
culture.
Hours of Operation: Daily 7am until dark. From July to October a sound
and light show takes place every evening
Phone:(0)2 635 1014 (Visitor's Centre) |
4. Desert Castle Loop
East and south of Amman
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What is it? Stretching to the east of Amman towards Saudi
Arabia and Iraq is the vast desert plain where a cluster of
historic ruins such as castles, forts, baths and palaces have been
preserved and are collectively known as desert castles. Their
purpose is largely unknown, but most are thought to have been built
as recreational retreats by the Umayyad caliphs during the early
Islamic Period (7th to 8th centuries AD). Qasr Mushatta is the
biggest and most elaborate of the castles, a fine example of
Umayyad architecture although it was never completed. The best
preserved and most enchanting is the luxurious bathhouse of Qusayr
'Amra, with its domed ceiling and colourful interior frescoes and
mosaics, and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other desert
castles include the black rock fortress at Azraq, which was the
desert headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia during the Great Arab
Revolt in 1917, the mysterious Qasr al-Kharrana, Qasr al-Hallabat's
crumbling remains and the well-preserved complex at
Qastal.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
5. Dead Sea
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What is it? Situated about 28 miles (45km) from Amman,
lies the famous geographic attraction known as the Dead Sea, which
is the lowest point on earth at 1,335ft (407m) below sea level.
Devoid of plant or animal life due the high salt concentration
(four times saltier than normal sea water), it is the incredible
mineral rich water that has made it an internationally sought-after
destination since ancient times, popular for its curative
properties as well as for the experience of floating effortlessly
on its surface. Most holidaymakers go to the main resort area on
the northern shore at Suweimeh, where the Dead Sea Resthouse
provides showers, a restaurant, a beach and the opportunity to
smother oneself in the mineral-rich black mud. Accommodation is
available at the Dead Sea Spa Hotel where various medical
treatments are also on offer.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
6. Mt Nebo
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What is it? The most sacred site in Jordan, Mt Nebo is
believed to be the burial site of Moses who climbed the hill in
order to survey the Promised Land that he would never enter.
Situated on the edge of a plateau about six miles (10km) from
Madaba, Mt Nebo affords spectacular views towards Jerusalem, whose
spires are visible on a clear day, and across the Jordan Valley and
the Dead Sea. A modern day shrine sits on the ruins of a
6th-century Byzantine monastery, and affords protection to the
original floor mosaics, while in the grounds stands the symbolic
Serpentine Cross.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 5pm
Phone: |
7. Madaba
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What is it? The Medeba of the Bible is today Madaba, 'the
City of Mosaics', most famous for its spectacular Byzantine and
Umayyad mosaics from the 5th to 7th centuries, which are scattered
throughout the town's homes and churches. Located just 19 miles
(30km) south of Amman, Madaba is also home to the famous
6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land, in which Jerusalem and its
surrounding regions are depicted. One of the town's most beautiful
mosaics covers the floor of the Byzantine Church of the Apostles,
and the Archaeological Park features an impressive collection of
mosaic collages, where a series of ramps has been built over
excavated mosaics to allow people to view them from above. The
Greek Orthodox Church of St George is home to Madaba's main
attraction and most famous mosaic, the celebrated 6th-century
mosaic map of the Holy Land. Millions of pieces of coloured stone
embedded on the church floor create a vivid picture of Jerusalem
and its holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the
Dead Sea, Jericho and the Jordan River. It is the earliest
surviving original map of the region and was laid around 560 AD.
Madaba is also known for its hand-woven carpets and tapestries and
it is possible to see them being made in several shops around
town.
Hours of Operation: Church of St. George: daily 8.30am to 6pm, Friday and
Sunday from 10am to 6pm
Phone:(0)8 543 376 (Madaba Visitor's Centre) |
Amman Holidays guide
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Transport -Amman is a relatively small city and is
thus easy to negotiate.
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