Al-Amn Magazine

HISTORY L Magi ca l Jordan beckons Hi s tory, beau ty wherever you l ook ikely the first time I ever saw an image of Jordan was when watching Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as a child. In his search for the Holy Grail, Harrison Ford’s famous archaeologist passes through a cliff fissure and is met with the sight of a massive structure carved into the cliff wall. In the film, the Holy Grail waits for Indy inside, but I was struck by the building itself, which transforms the red rock face into one of the most elaborate designs I had ever seen. This structure is the Treasury at Petra, and however much it impressed me while watching The Last Crusade, the real thing blew me away when I finally saw it in person.  Petra, the northern capital of the ancient kingdom of the Nabataeans, is the grand treasure of Jordan and one of the world’s most impressive historical monuments. But it only scratches the surface of what awaits you in Jordan. Jordan is one of the oldest countries in the world, but its glory is not stuck in the past tense. Rather, its magic is alive wherever you find yourself within its borders, from the markets of Amman to the salty waters of the Dead Sea to the red sands of Wadi Rum. Visiting Jordan is like travelling back in time. But it’s also a wonderful place to explore in the present, where you can share a meal with new friends, watch a sunset over the desert, or float your worries away on the world’s lowest lake. It’s magical, glorious, and so much more than what you see on the big screen. It’s a treasure you need to uncover for yourself.  History wherever you look Jordan’s capital, Amman, has been around for at least 9,000 years, making it one of the oldest continually inhabited cities on the planet. Head to Citadel Hill to experience a taste of the city’s ancient past on one of its highest points. Everyone from Babylonians to Byzantines used the hill for their administrative centres and temples. Today, you’ll discover Roman ruins, including pillars from the Temple of Hercules, mosaics from Byzantine churches, and old palace artifacts from the Umayyad Dynasty.  From Amman, pick a direction and a new historical wonder awaits. To the north lies Jerash, one of the three best- preserved Roman cities outside of Rome itself. The massive archaeological site sprawls throughout the compact city centre. Pass under the Arch of Hadrian and along the Hippodrome and you’ll reach a gentle hillside covered in ruins in every direction. It doesn’t take much to imagine the bustling Roman centre of the 1st century. Pillars line the old thoroughfare where Romans marched their legions. Amphitheatres still seat hundreds where performers would perform tragedies. Mosaics remain from unearthed Byzantine churches and mighty pillars from temples such as the Temple of Artemis continue to stand watch over the city.  Continue to the northwest and you’ll reach Ajloun, one of many castles associated with the crusades. Saracens under Saladin successfully defended Ajloun against the invading European armies, but further south, particular at al-Kerak, you’ll find more castles where Crusaders ruled