Jordan Attractions - Amman to Wadi Rum
The Castle at Ajloun - Madaba Mosaics - Roman Ruins at Jerash
For those travellers with a sense of history and adventure, the Middle Eastern country of Jordan is the place to go. There are some magical places to visit, among them are:
Amman
Many will begin their journey in the capital city Amman, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, built in the hills between desert and the lush Jordan Valley. Today it’s a city of contrast, modern and vibrant but with a flavour of ancient times.
Madaba
Madaba only 30 kilometres south of Amman, is world famous for its mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, made with two million pieces of local coloured stone it depicts valleys, hills and towns as far as the Nile Delta. Originally 94 square metres, now only about a quarter remains.
Jerash
Conquered in 63 BC, Jerash became one of the great Roman cities before much of it disappeared under the desert sands, to remain hidden for hundreds of years. Visitors today have an almost overwhelming range of Roman architecture to discover: the Corinthian Column, Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome and the temples dedicated to Zeus and Artemis.
Ajloun
Close to Jerash is Ajloun, here you will find the Castle of Ajloun built in 1184-85 by a nephew of Saladin as a military fort, designed to protect the communication routes between Jordan and Syria.
From the top, the view of pine forests and olive groves and across the Jordan Valley is simply stunning and definitely not to be missed.
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum in the south of Jordan is a government protected area that covers over 700 square kilometres of stunning desert landscape. Its sandstone and granite peaks soar to heights of over 1700 metres
The great archaeologist and desert traveller T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) said of Wadi Rum in his book the Seven Pillars of Wisdom, “Its crimson sunset on its stupendous cliffs and slanted ladders of hazy fire down its walled avenue…”
There is so much for the visitor to see and do in the area: Jeep, camel and horse are popular ways to investigate the desert landscape or wonder at the Nabatean rock art. For the more energetic visitor there are a number of hiking trails to explore and you can camp overnight in a Bedouin encampment.
It is strongly recommended that for any trip into the desert a visitor should take, plenty of water, a good supply of sun block and a hat. A Bedouin guide should also be hired.
For further information: http://uk.visitjordan.com/
