Attractions of Jordan

To help inspire or plan your trip to Jordan, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Jordan which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Historical attractions in Jordan

Amman
Like Damascus and Aleppo in Syria, Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with occupation dating back some 9,000 years. It rose to prominence with the arrival of the Ammonites in 1200 BC, later falling under the influence of the Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Ptolemies and Seleucids before it became one of the cities of the Decapolis under the Romans. Its historical attractions include the Citadel with its Roman Temple of Hercules and 6,000 seat Roman theatre, the 8th century Ummayad Palace and the grandeur of the King Abdullah Mosque. The Jordan Archaeological Museum contains an excellent collection of artefacts from the city's history, including an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a copy of the Mesha Stele and four rare Iron Age sarcophagi.

Amman

Like Damascus and Aleppo in Syria, Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with occupation dating back some 9,000 years. It rose to prominence with the arrival of the Ammonites in 1200 BC, later falling under the influence of the Israelites, Assyrians, Babylonians, Ptolemies and Seleucids before it became one of the cities of the Decapolis under the Romans. Its historical attractions include the Citadel with its Roman Temple of Hercules and 6,000 seat Roman theatre, the 8th century Ummayad Palace and the grandeur of the King Abdullah Mosque. The Jordan Archaeological Museum contains an excellent collection of artefacts from the city's history, including an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls, a copy of the Mesha Stele and four rare Iron Age sarcophagi.

Jerash
Jerash Jerash is one of the finest examples of a Roman provincial city anywhere in the world and a highlight of any trip to Jordan. It is the best preserved of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten self-governing cities that developed in the area following the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC. A triple arch gateway leads to the Colonnaded main street, where grooves in the paving stones are reminders of the chariots that once rode along these streets. Other impressive remains include two theatres, the forum, the temple of Zeus, a nymphaeum and a hippodrome.

Jerash

Jerash is one of the finest examples of a Roman provincial city anywhere in the world and a highlight of any trip to Jordan. It is the best preserved of the Decapolis, a confederation of ten self-governing cities that developed in the area following the Roman conquest in the 1st century BC. A triple arch gateway leads to the Colonnaded main street, where grooves in the paving stones are reminders of the chariots that once rode along these streets. Other impressive remains include two theatres, the forum, the temple of Zeus, a nymphaeum and a hippodrome.

Umm Qais/Gedara and Pella
Along with Jerash, the classical sites of Umm Qais and Pella marked two other cities of the Roman Decapolis. The remains of ancient Gadara at Umm Qais are located on a plateau overlooking the Sea of Galilee, which was once a major cultural and artistic centre and an important stop on several trade routes. Most of the remains at Pella date from the Byzantine period.

Um er-Rasas
Um er-Rasas was a Roman military camp that grew to become a town from the 5th century AD onwards. The site contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods, including 16 churches and 2 stylites - columns upon which ascetic monks spent time in isolation. The mosaic floor of the Church of St. Stephen contains a representation of the towns of Palestine, Jordan and Egypt. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)

Um er-Rasas

Um er-Rasas was a Roman military camp that grew to become a town from the 5th century AD onwards. The site contains remains from the Roman, Byzantine and early Muslim periods, including 16 churches and 2 stylites - columns upon which ascetic monks spent time in isolation. The mosaic floor of the Church of St. Stephen contains a representation of the towns of Palestine, Jordan and Egypt.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a)

Desert Loop Castles
The desert east of Amman contains numerous historic castles, palaces and other structures. Quseir Amra was built in the early 8th century for use as a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs. Although small, this structure is very well preserved and noted for its exceptional reception hall, three-roomed hamman or steam bath and extensive murals on the interior wall surfaces and depicting hunting, hamman scenes, historical figures, a zodiac and the mythical representations of history, philosophy and poetry. The castle at Azraq dates back to Roman times and was used by Lawrence of Arabia as his desert headquarters during the Arab Revolt. Qasr al-Hallabat was originally Roman but was rebuilt during the Umayyad period and is renowned for its elaborately decorated mosaics, carved stucco, and fresco paintings. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Quseir Amra

Desert Loop Castles

The desert east of Amman contains numerous historic castles, palaces and other structures. Quseir Amra was built in the early 8th century for use as a garrison and a residence of the Umayyad caliphs. Although small, this structure is very well preserved and noted for its exceptional reception hall, three-roomed hamman or steam bath and extensive murals on the interior wall surfaces and depicting hunting, hamman scenes, historical figures, a zodiac and the mythical representations of history, philosophy and poetry. The castle at Azraq dates back to Roman times and was used by Lawrence of Arabia as his desert headquarters during the Arab Revolt. Qasr al-Hallabat was originally Roman but was rebuilt during the Umayyad period and is renowned for its elaborately decorated mosaics, carved stucco, and fresco paintings.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Quseir Amra

Aljoun Castle
Aljoun Castle is the only truly Arab castle in Jordan. It was built in 1184 by the nephew of Saladin to deter the Crusader invasion and occupied a strategic location to monitor invaders and command trade routes. It was destroyed by the Mongols in 1260 but rebuilt by the Mameluke Sultan Baibars before serving as an Ottoman outpost.

Kerak and Shobak Crusader Castles
Kerak and Shobak are two of numerous castles built by Crusader forces in the Middle East between the 11th and 13th centuries. Kerak is built on a hilltop overlooking the town, an imposing setting offering spectacular views, and very well preserved. Further south, Shobak Castle is less well preserved but equally impressive.

Petra
Petra Petra, the Rose-Red City, is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and one of the world's most famous and spectacular historical sites. Petra was founded by the Nabataean Arab tribe in the 6th century BC and taxes imposed on trading caravans allowed them to build their rock-carved city surrounded by mountains. Construction continued after the Romans annexed the Nabataean Kingdom in AD 106 and, after it was conquered and occupied by Muslim Arabs and Crusaders, it was abandoned and became a mystical 'lost city'. Its exact location was unknown in the west until the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt stumbled upon it in 1812. Today visitors followed the same path used by Burckhardt, through a kilometre long chasm known as the siq, the only entrance to the city. At the end of the siq lies the stunning sight of the Treasury, or Khazneh, a 40 metre tall facade carved into the mountain rock face. Inside the Hellenistic columns is a large plain square room, carved out of rock. The High Places are the mountain-top altars which offer spectacular views over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert. Beyond the centre of Petra lies El Deir, the Monastery, with another superb facade built into the mountain rock. Other highlights include the three Royal Tombs, carved into the King's Wall, the Palace of the Pharaoh's Daughter and the Roman era theatre, with 8,000 seats carved from rock. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Petra

Petra

Petra, the Rose-Red City, is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and one of the world's most famous and spectacular historical sites. Petra was founded by the Nabataean Arab tribe in the 6th century BC and taxes imposed on trading caravans allowed them to build their rock-carved city surrounded by mountains. Construction continued after the Romans annexed the Nabataean Kingdom in AD 106 and, after it was conquered and occupied by Muslim Arabs and Crusaders, it was abandoned and became a mystical 'lost city'. Its exact location was unknown in the west until the Swiss explorer J.L. Burckhardt stumbled upon it in 1812. Today visitors followed the same path used by Burckhardt, through a kilometre long chasm known as the siq, the only entrance to the city. At the end of the siq lies the stunning sight of the Treasury, or Khazneh, a 40 metre tall facade carved into the mountain rock face. Inside the Hellenistic columns is a large plain square room, carved out of rock. The High Places are the mountain-top altars which offer spectacular views over Wadi Araba and the Negev Desert. Beyond the centre of Petra lies El Deir, the Monastery, with another superb facade built into the mountain rock. Other highlights include the three Royal Tombs, carved into the King's Wall, the Palace of the Pharaoh's Daughter and the Roman era theatre, with 8,000 seats carved from rock.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Petra