The White Stone City Of Amman!
30 July 2008: Jordan turned out to be a more modern place than Egypt!
We touched down in Amman, the capital of Jordan, after a short flight on Royal Jordanian from Cairo, and was immediately surprised by the visual differences between these two countries. In Jordan, cars look more modern, roads are better, it’s much less crowded, more women go out without head scarves.
Jordan is part of a region considered to be “the cradle of civilization”. During its history, Jordan has seen numerous civilizations, including such ancient eastern civilizations as the Akkadian, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian empires.
Gleaming white houses, kebab stalls and cafés are interspersed with bustling markets (known in Arabic as souqs) — and the remains of civilizations and ages long past.
Jordanian flags in the city once known as Philadelphia
Under Ptolemy II Philadelphos (285-247 B.C.), Amman was renamed Philadelphia, and was included in the Roman province of Arabia by the Emperor Trajan.
A city built of white stone
Amman is built on seven hills, or jabals, each of which more or less defines a neighborhood.
Houses perched on hills are a common sight in Amman
The Roman Theater is an ancient theater built by the Roman Empire when it included the land of Jordan.
Built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161 AD), the large and steeply raked theater could seat about 6,000 people.
Roman Theater
Roman ruins
Downtown Amman - love those arches
The main fountain Nymphaeum stands with its back to Quraysh Street. Much of the fountain, which was completed in 191 AD, is hidden from public view by private houses and shops. The Nymphaeum is believed to have contained a 600 square meter pool, three meters deep, which was continuously refilled with fresh water. Jordan’s Department of Antiquities is currently excavating the Nymphaeum.
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