South Theatre
Entering the South Theatre at Jerash through a wooden door between the arches, there’s little to suggest the treasure encased by the plain exterior. But then suddenly you emerge in the upper seating and you can’t help but be impressed. Built between AD 81 and 96 and once housing 50
Shrine of the Beheading of John the Baptist (Latin Church)
This operational early-20th-century Roman Catholic Church has been transformed into an intriguing destination for visitors and pilgrims by the restoration of the ancient sites upon which the church sits. The gem of the complex is the Acropolis Museum , housed in the ancient, vaulte
Little Petra Siq
From the car park, an obvious path leads to the 400m-long siq, which opens out into larger areas. The first open area has a temple , which archaeologists know little about. Four triclinia – one on the left and three on the right – are in the second open area, and were probably used
Forum
Whatever the light and whatever the weather, the forum, with its organ-pipe columns arranged around an unusual oval-shaped plaza, is always breathtaking and is one of Jerashs undisputed highlights. This immense space (90m long and 80m at its widest point) lies in the heart of the c
Qasr al
Constructed out of black basalt stone, Qasr al-Azraq was originally three storeys high. Some paving stones in the main entrance have small indentations, carved by former gatekeepers who played a board game using pebbles to pass the time. By the courtyard entrance, look for the carv
Roman Theatre
This magnificently restored theatre is the most obvious and impressive remnant of Roman Philadelphia, and is the highlight of Amman for most foreign visitors. The theatre itself is cut into the northern side of a hill, and has a seating capacity of 6000. The best time for photograp
St George’s Church & Mosaic Map
This rather modest 19th-century Greek Orthodox church houses a treasure of early Christianity. Imagine the excitement in 1884 when Christian builders came across the remnants of an old Byzantine church on their construction site. Among the rubble, having survived wilful destruction
Qasr Kharana
Located in the middle of a vast, treeless plain, this imposing thick-walled structure was the most likely inspiration for the ‘desert castle’ moniker and is arguably the most photogenic of all the desert castles. There is controversy about its function and purpose, but this importa
Castle of Herod the Great
Machaerus is known locally as Qala’at al-Meshneq (Castle of the Gallows), a fitting name given that it is renowned as the place where John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas, the successor of Herod the Great. The castle is about 2km past Mukawir village and easy to spot. If
Monastery (Al
Hidden high in the hills, the Monastery is one of the legendary monuments of Petra. Similar in design to the Treasury but far bigger (50m wide and 45m high), it was built in the 3rd century BC as a Nabataean tomb. It derives its name from the crosses carved on the inside walls, sug
High Place of Sacrifice
The most accessible of Petra’s ‘High Places’, this well-preserved site was built atop Jebel Madbah with drains to channel the blood of sacrificial animals. A flight of steps signposted just before the Theatre leads to the site: turn right at the obelisks to reach the sacrificial pl
Shobak Castle
Perched in a wild, remote landscape, Shobak Castle wins over even the most castle-weary, despite being less complete than its sister fortification at Karak. Formerly called Mons Realis (the Royal Mountain), it was built by the Crusader king Baldwin I in AD 1115. Restoration work is
Siq
The 1.2km siq, or canyon, with its narrow, vertical walls, is undeniably one of the highlights of Petra. The walk through this magical corridor, as it snakes its way towards the hidden city, is one full of anticipation for the wonders ahead – a point not wasted on the Nabataeans wh
Umm Al
The unpretentious urban architecture of Umm al-Jimal, near the Jordanian-Syrian border, encompasses over 150 buildings standing one to three stories above ground, including 128 houses and 15 churches. Together, these buildings provide a fascinating insight into rural life during th
Citadel
The area known as the Citadel sits on the highest hill in Amman, Jebel al-Qala’a (about 850m above sea level), and is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon. Occupied since the Bronze Age, its surrounded by a 1700m-long wall, which were rebuilt many times during the Bronze and Iron Ages
Qusayr Amra
One of the best-preserved desert buildings of the Umayyads, the Unesco World Heritage site of Qusayr Amra is the highlight of a trip into the Eastern Desert. Part of a much greater complex that served as a caravanserai, bathhouse and hunting lodge, the qusayr (little castle) is ren
Doing business & staying in touch while in Jordan
Jordan: Doing business & staying in touch
Jordan Weather, Climate and Geography
Jordan Weather, climate and geography
Jordan History, Language and Culture
Jordan History, Language and Culture
Jordan Travel Guide and Travel Information
Jordan Travel Guide
