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Qasr Deir al
Built in the 4th century, the ‘Monastery of Caves’ is a purpose-built Roman fort that primarily served as a sentry post. Like its famous neighbour Umm al-Jimal, Deir al-Kahf is also constructed of black basalt, though the scattered ruins here are not nearly as extensive. There is a
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Ottomans Gate
The main entrance to Karak Castle is Ottoman’s Gate which is reached via a bridge. The Crusader’s Gate would once have been the main thoroughfare but is currently awaiting restoration and remains closed to the public. Take time to pause on the bridge before Ottomans gate: on a wind
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Obelisks
The obelisks are over 6m high; they are remarkable structures because they are carved out of the rock face, not built upon it: looking at the negative space surrounding them, you can understand the truly epic scale of excavation involved. Dedicated to the Nabataean gods Dushara and
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Temenos Gateway
Built in the 2nd century AD, the gateway originally had huge wooden doors and side towers. It marked the entrance to the temenos (sacred courtyard) of the Qasr al-Bint, separating the commercial area of the city from the sacred area of the temple. Look closely for the few remaining
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Sheikhs House
The sheikhs house is notable for its expansive courtyard, stables, black basalt door and stairways. Look for the gravity-defying stairs to the north and the precarious corner tower. You can just make out a double stairway to the east of the courtyard. After exiting the building you
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Ayla
Located along the Corniche and incongruously squeezed between the marina and the Mövenpick Resort, Ayla is the site of the ancient port of Aqaba. The ruins are limited, but fading noticeboards in English pinpoint items of interest. At the back of the parking space behind the JETT b
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Visitor Centre Museum
While you are buying your ticket to enter Wadi Rum, spare half an hour to visit the informative museum (next to the restaurant) which helps to give a human context to the desert. The displays also explain environmental issues through information panels in English and natural histor
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Marketplace
From the main Crusader church you can take a passage to the left of the steps, which leads northwest through the bowels of Karak Castle, roughly underneath the church. The corridor turns right (north) and emerges into the better-lit areas of a delightful underground marketplace wit
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Ar
At the northern end of town are the minimal ruins of a Roman temple from the end of the 3rd century AD (two niches contained statues of the Roman emperors Diocletian and Maximilian), and other Roman and Byzantine buildings. None of the ruins are signposted. The site is accessible b
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Lawrence’s House (Al
There is little left of this building, erected on the Nabataean ruins of a water cistern. Nonetheless, legend has it that Lawrence stayed here during the Arab Revolt and that makes it a must on the regular 4WD circuits of the area. Near the building is a Nabataean inscription that
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Site of Jesus’ Baptism
The main archaeological site comprises the remains of three churches, one on top of the other. Steps lead down to the original water level and a building nearby marks the likely site of Jesus’ baptism . Byzantine churches were built to mark the site during the 5th and 6th centuries
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Qasr Mushash
Once a grand Umayyad settlement, today Mushash lies in ruin. However, it’s still possible to get a sense of the original layout, and there are a number of impressive buildings left standing including the remains of a palace, a large courtyard surrounded by a dozen rooms, baths, cis
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Museum
Before you finish exploring the ancient city of Jerash, visit the small museum just above the forum. It houses a small but worthwhile selection of artefacts from the site, such as mosaics, glass, gold jewellery and coins found in a tomb near Hadrian’s Arch. Almost as good as the ex
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Cathedral
The cathedral was built in about AD 556, but is now mostly in ruins. Look for the lintel stone detailing the Roman emperors that ruled over the region.
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Lowest Point on Earth Museum
Shaped like a giant stone comma, it contains beautifully displayed remains excavated from the site, including mosaics, 4500 year-old pottery, and ancient textiles Other displays explain the areas importance for sugar production during the Mameluke period, and artefacts that bring t
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Church of the Apostles
This insignificant-looking church contains a remarkable mosaic dedicated to the Twelve Apostles. The embroidery-like mosaic was created in AD 568 and is one of the few instances where the name of the craftsman (Salomios) is included. The central portion shows Thalassa, a female per
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Jebel Rum
The western flank of Wadi Rum is formed by Jebel Rum (1754m) which towers over Wadi Rum village. It is a popular destination for scramblers and climbers who tackle parts of the ancient Thamudic Way to the summit (guide required – ask at the visitor centre). Similar pathways, once u
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Silk Tomb & Corinthian Tomb
Next to the distinctive Urn Tomb in the Royal Tomb group is the so-called Silk Tomb , noteworthy for the stunning swirls of pink-, white- and yellow-veined rock in its facade. The badly damaged Corinthian Tomb , immediately adjacent, is something of a hybrid, with Hellenistic decor
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Kastron Mefaa
The Umm ar-Rasas site spans the expansive ruins of Kastron Mefaa (mentioned in the Bible as the Roman military outpost of Mephaath). The ruins encompass four churches (including the Church of Lions with impressive namesake mosaics) and city walls. Arches rise up randomly from the r
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Soldiers Barracks & Kitchen
The Karak Castle barracks are notable for the small holes used for light, the walls of limestone and straw, and a few Byzantine rock inscriptions on the walls. Across the corridor is the kitchen, which contains large, round stones used for grinding olives, and huge storage areas fo
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