Many avid travelers, having experienced popular tourist destinations, are in constant search for new unusual places with a rich historical heritage. Perhaps the country with the city of Amman will be one of such points for the seekers of impressions. What is so remarkable here?
Brief information about the location of the city
To begin with, it would be useful to mention the capital of which state is the city of Amman. After all, it is likely that you have never heard such a name. Amman is the capital of the mysterious kingdom of Jordan, where the soothing singing of Mullah is everywhere, and the streets are saturated with the smells of oriental spices. This is not only a city of Muslim traditions and fascinating sights, but also a modern metropolis, whose inhabitants are not alien to the trends of modern times. It is also a relatively calm, serene place, given the proximity of such conflict states as Saudi Arabia, Syria and Iraq. The city of Amman is also called the white city, because most of the buildings in it are made of white limestone. Let's take a closer look at how it can lure picky tourists.
A bit of the history of this place
The past of the city of Amman plays a huge role in the development of not only Jordan, but the entire Middle East. The mention of this place can be found in the Old Testament, where it is called the capital of the Ammonite state. Then it was a fairly prosperous city with developed trade and culture. Then he passed from the hands of some conquerors to the hands of others: the Assyrians, Persians, Macedonians. However, soon the city became part of the Roman Empire under the sonorous name of Philadelphia. During this period, many temples, thermae and amphitheaters were built here, which can be viewed in our time.
The city acquired its modern name, Amman, only by the 7th century AD. And it became the capital of modern Jordan only in 1921. Today Amman is a modern metropolis, where most of the country's population lives. It has a place for both skyscrapers and cozy two-three-story houses, in which the Amman people themselves live. The city is located on 14 hills, which gives reason to call it the second Rome. Such a "multi-level" feature makes the capital even more attractive, especially at sunset, when the snow-white houses turn into gold and sparkle like a wondrous oriental beauty. This is the best time to take a photo of the city of Amman.
Western customs are not alien to the city, because on its streets you can meet quite European-style dressed women, which is extremely surprising for traditionsMuslim culture. It is even welcomed at the state level.
Sights of the city of Amman
The capital of the Kingdom of Jordan has many advantages for travelers. Firstly, noisy bazaars, where you can fully experience the seething atmosphere of the Middle East. For example, in the center of Amman, the authentic Downtown quarter, there is an extensive and famous traditional Souq market. Also, gold bazaars are concentrated here in large numbers, where jewelry connoisseurs can please themselves with both traditional oriental jewelry and products from branded manufacturers.
Secondly, the spicy taste and sensations of oriental cuisine and local extravagant delicacies that will please both gourmets and just lovers of delicious food. It is in the capital that all the best establishments of national cuisine are located.
Thirdly, the proximity of the healing Dead Sea. It is only 35 kilometers from the city of Amman. It should be added to this that the cost of Jordanian hotels is significantly lower than Israeli ones. This feature will especially please our tourist.
Fourth, a large number of cultural heritage rich history. Many sights have been preserved in their original form.
Citadel - the heart of the ancient city
This landmark, also known as the Fortress Mountain, or Jabal Al-Kalaa, is located onhill and is one of the iconic places worth visiting in the first place. The citadel is attractive not only for monuments of different eras. It is also an excellent observation deck, offering amazing views of the Arab capital.
The fortress hill is the place where all the fortifications are collected. Excavations are still ongoing. Archaeologists have already managed to discover Neolithic monuments, as well as various eras in which the city reached its greatest prosperity. From the Greco-Roman era, you can see the temple of Hercules, and from the Byzantine era - the church, decorated with Corinthian columns.
Former grandeur of Al Qasr Palace
On the Fortress Hill rises the Umayyad Palace, the residence of the once ruling dynasty of the same name. In Arabic, its name sounds like Al-Qasr. Acquaintance with him begins with the majestic cruciform gate, behind which there is a grandiose colonnade stretching across the entire palace territory. Once it was a vast complex of residential and administrative buildings in which the rulers of Amman lived and made important state decisions. Here you can walk freely, look at the numerous ruins and imagine the royal grandeur of that time.
On the territory of the palace there is a small mosque, also built during the reign of the Umayyad dynasty. Judging by its size, historians believe that it was intended for the rulers themselves and a narrow circle of their associates. There is also an assumption that the materials for the construction were the stones of the collapsedRoman temple.
The interior of the mosque is quite ascetic. The square-shaped hall, crowned with a dome, is decorated only with arches carved into the walls. All optimal conditions have been created for prayer, from which nothing should distract. Now there is a museum open to all comers.
The many faces of Amman city center
As in many cities, all the main attractions in the royal capital are concentrated in the center. Which is very convenient for tourists, because it is much more comfortable to see everything at once in one place, and not to travel around different areas, constantly checking the map.
Roman theater
At the foot of the Citadel is a striking amphitheater, which is considered one of the cultural symbols of the country. This building is carved into the rock in the form of a deep bowl and consists of three parts. Its capacity is 6000 people. The Roman theater is still in use today and hosts a variety of cultural events.
This place is also notable for the fact that in 1948 it served as a refuge for more than a thousand Palestinian refugees who left their rebellious country during the first Arab-Israeli war and found a new home in the country with the city of Amman at the head. By the way, it is their descendants that make up the majority (about 70%) of the modern population of the capital. Also located here are the Folklore Museum and the Jordan Folk Traditions Museum.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum is a huge square where people gathered to discusstopical issues. It was considered one of the most colossal in the entire empire, because its dimensions are 100 × 50 meters. Near it you can see dilapidated columns that once formed part of the grandiose colonnade around the square. In ancient times, there was also a market here, where you could buy clothes, food, even weapons. Now this place has been turned into a cozy square where you can sit quietly on a bench, refresh yourself a bit near the fountains and watch the life of local residents. Older townspeople love to spend their time playing chess, and the younger generation like to frolic among the picturesque ruins. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Temple of Hercules.
Royal Mosque
The mosque was built by Abdullah I, the ruler of Jordan, in 1924. It is lined with white and pink stone and is a good example of religious Islamic culture. In 1987, it was restored by King Hussein and took on a modern look. This is the largest shrine of the city of Amman in Jordan, local residents treat it with due respect and awe. The mosque also houses an Islamic museum where you can learn more about this multifaceted religious phenomenon.
Nymphaeum Fountain
The Romans loved to decorate their cities with fancy gardens and fountains. This is how this beautiful masterpiece of decorative art was born, located just a few blocks from the Roman Theater. From its name you can guess that it is dedicated to the magnificent nymphs.
The fountain used to bean impressive two-story marble ensemble, complemented by elegant stone carvings and mosaics. It was decorated with statues and lion heads, from which water flowed. The capacity of the fountain was estimated at 600 square meters.
In 1993, excavations began at this site. Many finds of historical value were placed in the Amman Archaeological Museum (where you can see them). At the moment, the restoration of the fountain is only planned for the time being, but the state of the Nymphaeum is considered quite tolerable in order to imagine its former grandeur and beauty.
The mysterious cave of Ahl-al-Kahf
The outskirts of the capital will be no less interesting for travelers. So, in the Ar-Rajib region there is a Byzantine necropolis, in which, according to legend, seven youths are buried. They are honored both in Christianity and in Islam. The Bible says that the youths were devoted to the Christian religion and did not hide it. For their faith, they were buried alive in this cave. And already in the Christian period they were miraculously found alive. This place is considered sacred, so women are supposed to cover their heads before visiting it. It is also necessary to put on clothing that covers the arms and legs in advance.
The place where the city of Amman is located is really unique and interesting from a historical point of view. It has absorbed the features of almost all major eras. Here, at first glance, absolutely contradictory cultures are organically intertwined. That is why Amman is uniquea point on the map where you can understand the great diversity of this paradoxical world.
