Landmarks of Jordan

On the way from Petra to Aqaba, you can visit the Wadi Rum desert to enjoy unique landscapes that are not like anywhere else on the planet.

Petra – The first and, undoubtedly, a well-deserved place among Jordanian sights is occupied by the legendary Petra – the ancient capital of the Nabatean kingdom, carved right into the rocks more than 2000 years ago. Due to its rich history, somewhat unrealistic beauty and excellent preservation of monuments, at the end of the last century, Petra was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and in 2007 was elected one of the new seven “wonders of the world.” From November 1, 2010, the cost of an entrance ticket for foreign tourists is 90 dinars.
The Petra Gate is a long and winding gorge of the Siq. Walking along the gorge will have to overcome several kilometers, but it’s worth it. The road is decorated with bizarre stone sculptures, the remains of an ancient pavement and rock bas-reliefs. At the exit from the gorge is the majestic palace of El-Khazneh (Treasury or Treasure), which is carved into solid rock and has a height of 42 meters.

According to topschoolsintheusa, the next stop is the Facade Square, which is simply “stuffed” with many buildings carved into the rocks: temples, various tombs and tombs. Another attraction is the Roman amphitheater, which can accommodate about 7,000 spectators. The Royal Tombs are just a short walk from the amphitheater.

To simply list all the noteworthy monuments of Petra, we will need more than one hour, because there are over 800 historical objects here. Let’s name just a few. In addition to what we have described above, it is also worth seeing: Ad-Deir (“Monastery”), Sahrij (“Jinn blocks”), the sacred mountain of Jabal Al-Madbah (“Mountain of Sacrifice”), Mugar An-Nasara (“Caves of Christians ”), the Byzantine church behind the ruins of Nymphaeum, Qasr Al-Bint (“Palace of the Pharaoh’s Daughter”), Mount Jebel Haroun (Mount Aaron).

An incredible sight is Petra at night, by the light of 1800 candles. The tour includes a walk through the illuminated Sik-do-Khazne gorge, Bedouin music. Time: 20:30-22:00. Tickets can be purchased at the box office at the entrance (Petra Site Office).

Capital Amman– The capital of any state is its “face”, by which it is judged all over the world. Amman, as the capital of Jordan, is the embodiment of all the features of this most interesting state. Every day tours to Amman are becoming more and more popular and there are several reasons for this. Amman, on the one hand, is an ancient capital with a rich history, and on the other hand, it looks modern and technologically advanced. Here you can find seemingly incongruous things: small workshops and shops that have stood on the streets of the city for centuries and brand new shopping centers and hotels in Amman. A simple walk around Amman can deliver no less pleasure than a tour of any other place. Jordan is a country that is interesting, first of all, for its rich history. The citadel, the Roman theater, the King Hussein Mosque – these are not all the sights, which Amman boasts. It should be noted that all hotels in Amman are located very conveniently – from them it is easy to get both to the monuments located in the city center and to interesting places on the outskirts of the city.
For travelers who prefer walking, we recommend taking a walk along Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Street (Rainbow Street), almost completely built up with charming villas of the 20-30 * years of the last century.

Aqaba– it’s not just a great place to relax. From this city, located on the shores of the Red Sea, it is convenient to travel around the country. The port has been a crossroads of sea and land trade routes for many centuries, passing by land and water to Asia, Africa and Europe. In addition, the city of Aqaba is now declared a duty-free zone, which contributes to the development of trade: for this the city is nicknamed the “economic lungs of Jordan” Aqaba is beautiful. All the good things about Jordan are gathered here: historical monuments, great hotels and entertainment, great shopping opportunities and the hospitality of the people. In Aqaba, you can do all kinds of water sports from snorkeling to diving. The temperate climate and mild sea currents have created an ideal environment for coral reefs and an amazing abundance of underwater fauna and flora. Swimming with sea turtles and dolphins, the opportunity to try night diving and see crabs, lobsters and shrimps are guaranteed. There are several diving centers in Aqaba. Aqaba International Airport is located just 20 minutes from the city centre. Airplanes from Amman regularly fly here, as well as from several European cities. From the center of Aqaba to the borders of Israel, Egypt (its Sinai Peninsula) and Saudi Arabia, no more than half an hour by car.

Jerash is an almost completely preserved example of a provincial city from the time of the Roman Empire. It has 17 Byzantine churches, two amphitheatres, several ancient streets lined with columns. It is located an hour’s drive north of Amman, and is often referred to as the “Pompeii of the East” for its high preservation of ancient buildings. Christian pilgrims and people interested in the history of the first centuries of Christianity should visit the sights of Madaba and its environs: Madaba itself, the memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo, the site of the Baptism of Jesus in Tel al-Harrar, as well as many other historical places. And tourists interested in the history of the Crusades should definitely visit the Crusader castle in Karak, whose walls remember the era of Salah ad-Din.

Gadara(now Umm Qais) – the scene of the biblical tradition of the Gadara pig. Majestic streets framed by colonnades, a vaulted terrace and the ruins of two amphitheaters have survived to this day.

The “favorite” of archaeologists, Pella, is incredibly rich in antiquities. There, in addition to excavations of the ruins of the Greco-Roman period, you can see traces of the Eneolithic settlement (4th century BC), the ruins of fortified cities of the Bronze and Iron Ages, the ruins of Byzantine churches and houses, as well as a residential area of ​​the early Islamic period, with a small medieval mosaic.

Caliph’s palaces of the desert are about 30 residences, once buried in greenery and flowering gardens and irrigated with the help of original irrigation facilities, some of which have survived to this day, for example, the castle in Ajlun. Anyone who is interested in the history of the Arab Caliphate should not miss the unique monument of that era – the medieval baths of Qasr Amra, decorated with frescoes depicting people and animals.

Fans of outdoor activities will not be bored in Jordan. You can rent an SUV and travel from north to south of the country, visiting biblical cities and legionary fortresses. Or, as part of a caravan, cross the central highlands and the desert in the east of the country in a week, stopping in a new place every night. These same routes can be covered on a World War I train that runs along the very edge of the desert.

In addition, you can fly in a balloon or paragliding over the Wadi Rum desert, play paintball or golf, ride horses or go hiking in the mountains.

Landmarks of Jordan