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Mar Elias
This little-visited archaeological site , believed to be the birthplace of the prophet Elijah, gives you just the excuse you need to explore the countryside around Ajloun. To be honest, it’s not a spectacular site by any stretch of the imagination, though its worth checking out for
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Qala’At Ar
This historic castle was built atop Mt ‘Auf (1250m) between 1184 and 1188 by one of Saladin’s generals (and nephew), ‘Izz ad-Din Usama bin Munqidh. The castle commands views of the Jordan Valley and three wadis leading into it – making it an important strategic link in the defensiv
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Roman Ruins of Jerash
The ruins at Jerash cover a huge area and can seem daunting at first, especially as there is virtually no signage. To help the ruins come alive, engage one of the knowledgeable guides (JD20) at the ticket checkpoint to help you navigate the main complex. Walking at a leisurely pace
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Bethany
Whatever one’s religious persuasions, it’s hard not to be moved by this minimal pile of ruins with its preposterously long name. This is the site, archaeologists assure us, where John the Baptist preached, where Jesus was baptised, where the first five apostles met and where, there
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Dana Nature Reserve
The Dana Nature Reserve is one of Jordan’s hidden gems. The focal point of the reserve is the charming 15th-century stone village of Dana, which dangles beneath the King’s Highway on a precipice, commanding exceptional views of the valley below.The reserve is the largest in Jordan
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Burdah Rock Bridge
The largest of Rums three arches is the Burdah Rock Bridge, precariously perched about 80m above surrounding rock. There’s a precipitous hike to the summit.
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Islamic Museum
Down the hill by the Mamluk ruins is the excellent Islamic Museum. In a semi-subterranean part of Karak Castle, with a vaulted ceiling, this evocatively lit collection houses some of the finds from the castle and excavations in the surrounding area.
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West Theatre
Entering Umm Qais from the south, the first structure of interest is the well-restored and brooding West Theatre. Constructed from black basalt, it once seated about 3000 people. This is one of two such theatres – the North Theatre is overgrown and missing the original black basalt
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Al
While there are dunes in several places around Wadi Rum, the most striking are the red sands that bank up against Jebel Umm Ulaydiyya. If you are on a 4WD tour, drivers will stop near a pristine slope for you to plod your way to the crest of the dune. To reach the dunes on foot fro
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Khazali Siq
An easy siq to explore is the narrow fissure that cuts into Jebel Khazali. You can explore on foot for about 150m, far enough to appreciate the cool shade and to see inscriptions made by the ancients who used the siq for the same purpose. Look out for drawings of ostriches, pairs o
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Mamluk Palace and Mosque
Built for Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad in 1311, the open-air reception hall of this palace is a variation of the classic Islamic design of four iwans (chambers) off the main hall; there are barrel-vaulted rooms on two sides. The mosque here, with a clearly visible mihrab (niche) facing
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Jordan Museum
The Jordan Museum, located next to the City Hall, is a museum of international standard. Housed in a beautiful modern building, a series of beautifully presented and informative displays tell Jordans historical epic from the first people through the Nabatean civilisation to the cus
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Azraq Wetland Reserve
Administered by the RSCN, this small reserve is good for bird-watching. The Azraq Basin was originally 12,710 sq km (an area larger than Lebanon), but over-pumping of ground water sucked the wetlands dry in the 1970s and 80s. In recent years, the RSCN has seized control of the wetl
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Crusader Gallery & Crusaders Gate
The Crusader Gallery functioned as the stables of Karak Castle. Near the far end of the gallery, steps lead down to the Crusader’s Gate. Those entering the castle did so via a narrow winding passage, separated from the Crusader Gallery by a wall. This restrictive access is typical
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Glacis & Upper Court
Beyond the parapet at Karak Castle is the glacis , the dizzyingly steep rocky slope that prevented invaders from climbing up to the castle and prisoners from climbing down. This is where Renauld de Châtillon delighted in expelling his enemies. The overgrown upper court has a large
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Treasury (Al
Known locally as the Treasury, this tomb is where most visitors fall in love with Petra. The Hellenistic facade is an astonishing piece of craftsmanship. Although carved out of iron-laden sandstone to serve as a tomb for the Nabataean King Aretas III (c 100 BC–AD 200), the Treasury
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Memorial Viewpoint
Moses view of the Promised Land towards ancient Gilead, Judah, Jericho and the Negev is marked by an Italian-designed bronze memorial, next to the Moses Memorial Church. The ironwork, symbolising the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross and the serpent that ‘Moses lifted up’ i
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Royal Tombs
Downhill from the Theatre, the wadi widens to create a larger thoroughfare. To the right, the great massif of Jebel al-Khubtha looms over the valley. Within its west-facing cliffs are burrowed some of the most impressive burial places in Petra, known collectively as the ‘Royal Tomb
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Hippodrome
Built sometime between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD, this ancient sports field (244m by 50m) was once surrounded by seating for up to 15,000 spectators, 30 times the current seating capacity, and hosted mainly athletics competitions and chariot races at Jerash. Recent excavations h
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Dolmen Field
There are about 40 dolmens scattered across this unmarked site, with at least 12 in good condition. There are thousands more scattered across Jordan, especially around ar-Rawdah. From the road, it takes about 30 minutes to walk to the nearest dolmen, and an hour to reach more dist
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