Amman is the capital of Jordan, a modern and dynamic city with an ancient history. It is located on hills in the northwestern part of the country and is the political, economic, and cultural center of the kingdom. It serves as the perfect starting point for travels around Jordan, allowing you to visit Roman cities, biblical sites, and the Dead Sea coast all in a single day.
History: From Rabbah-Ammon to Amman
Ancient Times: The first settlements on this site date back to the Neolithic period (around 6500 BC). The city is known in the Bible as Rabbath-Ammon, the capital of the Ammonite Kingdom.
Hellenistic Era: After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the city was rebuilt and renamed Philadelphia by one of his successors, Ptolemy II Philadelphus. It kept this name for centuries.
Roman Period (106 AD and onward): As part of the Roman province of Arabia Petraea, Philadelphia experienced a golden age. Grand public structures were built: a theater, a nymphaeum, and a forum.
Byzantine and Islamic Periods: After a decline under Byzantine rule, the city was conquered by the Arabs in 635 AD and gradually regained its Semitic name—Amman. Under the Umayyads, it briefly gained importance but then fell into decline for centuries, becoming an insignificant village.
20th Century: Revival: The modern history of Amman began in 1921, when Emir Abdullah I ibn Hussein chose it as the capital of the new Emirate of Transjordan. Following waves of Palestinian refugees (1948, 1967) and the Lebanese Civil War, the city experienced a demographic explosion, transforming into a major metropolis.
Modern Amman: The Face of Jordan
Today`s Amman is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with a population of about 4 million people. It represents a paradoxical yet harmonious blend:
• The White City: Central districts are built with light limestone buildings that turn golden at sunset.
• Eastern Bustle: The narrow streets of the downtown area (Al-Balad), where life thrives in traditional markets (souqs), filled with the aromas of coffee, spices, and grilled food.
• Western Comfort: West Amman districts (e.g., Abdoun, Shmeisani) with modern shopping malls, galleries, upscale hotels, and restaurants.
• Tolerance and Safety: Amman is known as one of the safest and most liberal cities in the region, where tradition and modernity coexist peacefully.
Main Attractions Within the City
The Citadel (Jabal al-Qal`a)
The heart of the ancient city, located on the highest hill. It is an open-air museum showcasing traces of all eras:
• The Temple of Hercules: Grand columns from the Roman era (2nd century AD), towering over the city.
• Umayyad Palace: An 8th-century complex with a majestic domed hall and the ruins of residential quarters.
• Byzantine Church: Remains of a basilica, evidence of the Christian past.
• The Jordan Archaeological Museum: Houses priceless artifacts, including the famous Dead Sea Scrolls (the Copper Scroll), Neolithic statues from `Ain Ghazal, and a collection of ancient inscriptions.
The Roman Theatre
Carved into the hillside in the 2nd century AD, this theater is one of the most impressive Roman monuments in the Middle East. It could seat up to 6,000 spectators and is still used for cultural events. Nearby are a smaller odeon and a colonnaded square (the forum).
Downtown Area (Al-Balad)
A labyrinth of lively streets where you can feel the pulse of traditional Amman:
• Gold Souq (Souq al-Sagha): The center of jewelry trade.
• Spice and Vegetable Market (Souq al-Khalidiyeh): A riot of colors and aromas.
• King Hussein Mosque (Al-Husseini Mosque): The city`s main mosque, built in 1924 on the site of an ancient one.
• Al-Balad Gallery: An art gallery and cultural center housed in a restored historic building.
The Royal Automobile Museum
A fascinating collection that tells the history of the Hashemite Kingdom through the personal cars of its kings, starting with Hussein ibn Ali. A great place to understand Jordan`s modern history.
Nearest Attractions for Day Trips from Amman
Jerash (45 km, ~1 hour)
One of the best-preserved provincial Roman cities in the world, often called the "Pompeii of the East." Its monumental arches, oval plaza, colonnaded streets, temples, and huge theaters are stunning. A cultural and arts festival is held here in the summer.
The Dead Sea (55 km, ~1 hour)
The lowest point on dry land on Earth. Floating in its super-salty waters, experiencing weightlessness, and coating your skin with the therapeutic black mud is a must-do for any tourist. Luxurious resorts on the coast offer a full range of spa services.
Mount Nebo (Madaba, 30 km, ~45 min)
According to the Old Testament, this is where God showed Moses the Promised Land. At the summit is a memorial church with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. On the way, it`s worth stopping in the city of Madaba, known as the "City of Mosaics," to see the unique 6th-century mosaic map of the Holy Land in the Church of Saint George.
Desert Castles (Qasr al-Kharana, Quseir Amra, Azraq) (60-80 km, ~1-1.5 hours)
A chain of castles and hunting lodges from the Umayyad era (7th-8th centuries), scattered in the eastern desert. Quseir Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands out, with its interior walls covered in unique secular frescoes.
Amman is a hospitable and convenient capital, ideally suited for getting to know Jordan. The city offers a clear balance: here you can immerse yourself in ancient history at the Citadel and the Roman Theatre, and then enjoy comfort and cuisine in the modern districts.
