Amman (Discount
Amman Airfare)
The capital since 1921, Amman contains about one-third of the
population. It was formerly the Ammonite capital of Rabbath-Ammon
and later the Graeco-Roman city of Philadelphia. Often referred
to as the 'white city', Amman was originally, like Rome, built
on seven hills which still form its natural focal points. With
extensive modern building projects, Amman is now very well equipped
with excellent hotels and tourist facilities, especially in
the Jabal (hill) areas. The central market (souk) is lively
and interesting and provides a taste of a more traditional city.
Remains from Roman, Greek and Ottoman Turk occupations are dotted
around the city, the main attraction being the Roman amphitheatre
from the second century AD in the centre of the city. There
is also the Jebel el Qalat (citadel) which houses the Archaeological
Museum; the National Gallery of Fine Arts and Popular Museum
of Costume and Jewellery.
Owing to Jordan's small size any destination within the country
may be reached by road from the capital, Amman, in a day.
Salt
Once the Biblical 'Gilead', Salt is now a small town set in
the fertile landscape west of Amman, retaining much of its old
character as a former leading city of Transjordan. Filled with
the character, sights, sounds and aromas of an old Arab town
with its narrow market (souk), its innumerable flights of steps,
and its donkeys and coffee houses, it has a tolerant, friendly,
oriental atmosphere. 24km (15 miles) from Amman is Iraq al-Amir,
the only Hellenistic palace still to be seen in the Middle East.
Jerash
Less than one hour's drive north of Amman through the picturesque
hills of ancient Gilead. A magnificent Graeco-Roman city on
an ancient site, beautifully preserved by the desert sands,
Jerash is justly famous for the Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome,
the great elliptical forum, the theatres, baths and gateways,
the Roman bridge and the wide street of columns which leads
to the Temple of Artemis. Son et lumi?re programmes run in four
different languages (French, English, German and Arabic). Other
languages can be catered for upon request. For information on
festivals in Jerash, see Special Events in the Social Profile
section.
Umm Qais
In the far north of the country, Umm Qais, the Biblical 'Gadara',
dominates the area around Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee). Once
a city favoured by the Romans for its hot springs and theatres,
it had declined to a small village by the time of the Islamic
conquests. Its ruins, however, are still impressive: the Acropolis
built in 218BC, the forum, the colonnaded street with still-visible
chariot tracks and the Nymphaeum and remains of a large basilica.
|
Jordan Airport Guide
