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AMMAN Begin your stay in the capital, Amman, known in
history as Rabbath-Ammon and in Graeco-Roman times as Philadelphia. No more than five
hours drive from anywhere in the country, it is a convenient base for your tour. Business
and the arts are thriving, and there are first-rate hotels, restaurants, galleries and
shops to enjoy. Add to this energetic mix the mystique of old Amman, and all your
expectations will be surpassed. |
| Jerusalem
*(85 Km) Every visitor to Jordan must visit the Old City of Jerusalem. Visitors usually
have their own preconceived ideas, religious or political. And yet, each will be surprised
by what they find. For all its fame, Jerusalem is a small town with many faces, weighed
down with history. It offers an enormous amount to see, whether you are interested in
ancient history, religion, or contemporary politics. Within the city, the third holiest
site for Muslims - the Haram al-Sharif from where Mohammed rose to heaven - can be found;
the holy Christian sites of the youth of Jesus, his crucifixion, burial, and resurrection,
and the holiest Jewish site, the Wailing Wall. |
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Jerash, *(47 Km) About one hours drive from Amman. This
"Greco-Roman" city is known as the best preserved and most intact city of the
Decapolis, a confederation of ten roman cities dating from the B.C. Visitors may wonder
through the temple of Artemis, the Theatres, Plazas, Bath and Colonnaded streets, all
enclosed within the city walls of Jerash. Within these walls have been found the remains
of settlements dating from the bronze age. In the month of July, sound and light
performances bring the ancient to life, with its cultural
festival, provdes a stage and meeting place for artists and performers world wide. |
| Umm Qais, *(130 Km) Among the Decapolis sites
is "Um Qais", known in antiquity as "Gadara", the place where Jesus
performed one of his miracles "The healing of the man with evil spirits", where
the Ottoman Governor's house has been restored and opened as a museum. From Gadara
commands a magnificent view over the northern Jordan valley, the sea of Galilee,
the Yarmouk river, and the Golan Heights. |
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Bethany *(45 Km) Some 2000 years ago, John the Baptist
lived and baptized in a settlement called “Bethany beyond the Jordan” (John
1:28). This important site of early Christianity, which Jesus also visited, has now been
rediscovered in Jordan, about (1500 meters) East of Jordan River. It is being carefully
excavated by international archaeologists in preparation for receiving visitors and
pilgrims.
Bethany in the present Kingdome of Jordan (is 45 Kilometers West of Amman), where John the
Baptist lived and baptized, |
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has always
Been identified with several ancient prophets and biblical episodes associated with the
Jordan River area.Theses include John the Baptist’s mission, the baptism of Jesus,
Joshua’s crossing of the Jordan River, the last days of Moses, and the Prophets
Elijah and Elisha. This Bethany area has also been known as Bethania and Bethabara as
depicted on the 6th century mosaic map located at the Saint George’s
church in Madaba (35 kilometers from Amman). (from the Arabic Beit el-Obour, or house of
the crossing’), and it called Beit Anya in Arabic language bibles. |
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Desert castle, *(70 Km) The Caliphs of the first dynasty, the
Umayyads, loved the desert and sought to renew themselves in small, lovely palaces in the
desert. Here, the Caliphs would spend their days hawking, hunting and horse racing,
followed by the Turkish Bath in the evening. The best examples of the desert castles are
found in the east of Jordan. |
| MADABA *(37 Km) The trip south from Amman along the 5,000-year-old
King's Highway is one of the most memorable journeys in the Holy Land, passing through a
string of ancients sites. The first city you come upon is Madaba, "the City of
Mosaics". Madaba's chief attraction -in the contemporary Greek Orthodox church of St. |
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George- is a
wonderfully vivid, sixth-century Byzantine mosaic map showing Jerusalem and other holy
sites. Ten minutes to the west is the most revered site in Jordan: Mount Nebo, the
memorial of Moses, the presumed site of the prophet's death and burial place. A small,
square church was built on the spot by early Byzantine Christians, and later expanded into
a vast complex. |
| Mount Nebo, *(46 Km) Not far away from Madaba, on the top of the
hill, a spectacular view across the Jordan Valley, and the Dead sea. On a clear day the
spires of the churches in Jerusalem are visible in the distance, and at night the lights
of the city are visible too. Mount Nebo is believed to be the tomb of Moses, a lonely,
windswept hill, protecting the ruins of a 4th and 6th century church, whose floor is still
covered with marvelous mosaics. |
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Mukawir, *(77 Km) About 40 km from Madaba, the ancient Machaerus,
was the fortress built by Herod the great. Here is where Herod imprisoned John the
Baptist, and where the beautiful Salome danced for Herod, who presented her with the head
of John the Baptist to honor her wishes. |
| The Dead Sea *(65 Km) At the northern end of the Great Rift Valley
lies the Jordan Valley, the lowest point on the surface of the earth. At the Dead Sea, it
is more than 400 meters below sea level. The valley is typically Mediterranean, with mild
winters and hot summers. The valley also has profound meaning for religious travelers. The
Jordan River is known as the place Jesus was baptized and near where John the Baptist
lived. |
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Pella, *(133 Km) Excavations have revealed at
least three thousand years of human activity at Pella, from the Old Testament days to the
medieval Islamic era. Pella was already an important city in the 19th century B.C and came
under Greek influence in the 3rd and 4th century B.C. The Romans made Pella member of the
Decapolis in the 2nd century A.D. In the 5th and 6th century A.D. it became a Christian
center and stayed important in the times of Islam. In the year 746 B.C. |
| Petra, *(262 Km) The rose-red city, 262 km south of
Amman. This Nabatean city is the most famous attraction to Jordan. Dean Burgon, gave Petra
the description which holds to this day: "match me such a marvel save in eastern
claim a Rose-Red city half as old as time". Petra was used as a refuge by nomadic
Nabatean Arabs- Bedouin, who came north, Petra still forms part of the domain of the
bedouin. The visitor finds them waiting with their horses and camels for the unforgettable
trip into the Rose-red City, which comprises a complete urban infrastructure including
temples, baths, private houses, high palaces, paved streets, public buildings, cisterns
and theatres. You reach this marvel through the awesome "Siq" an immense crack
in the nabatean sandstone. It is a winding one km long fissure between overhaning cliffs
that seem to meet more than 300 feet over head. |
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Wadi Rum, (100 Km from Petra) A place where you feel that the world
belongs to you. "Wadi Rum" is like a moon scape of ancient valleys and towering,
weathered sandstone mountains rising out of the white and pink colored sands. Much of
David Leon's "Lawrence of Arabia" was filmed there and it was also the location
where Lawrence himself was based during the Arab revolt. |
Red Sea Resort, *(335 Km) Aqaba, where fantasy, sun, sea and the
atmosphere of antiquity charm and where the visitors can enjoy themselves, at any time of
the year, in water sports, and winter warmth. Aqaba is warm, sunny and inviting; fringed
with palm trees; lapped by the crystal clear water of the gulf of Aqaba; cooled by a
steady northerly breeze; and, ringed by mountains that change in color with the change of
the hour.
*(Distances
are from Amman) |
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