Things to see in Amman
Attractions
Citadel (Jabal al-Qal'a)
The site of the Citadel in Amman contains the remains of the Temple of Hercules, built between 161BCE and 166BCE, and the Jordan Archaeological Museum with its collections of pottery, glass, flint and metal tools, a copy of the Mesha Stele and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Nearby, the domed eighth-century BCE Al-Qasr (palace) is the centrepiece of a once mighty Umayyad city. The Citadel ticket office is located on Mathaf Street, just off King Ali Bin Al-Hussein Street.
Address: Jebel al-Qala'a, K. Ali Ben Al-Hussein St. 146, Amman,Telephone: +962 6 463 8795.
Opening times:
Sat-Thurs 0800-1730, Fri 0900-1600 (Oct-Mar); Sat-Thurs 0800-1900, Fri 1000-1600 (Apr-Sep).
Website:Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Roman Philadelphia
Downhill from the Citadel, the Corinthian colonnade of Philadelphia's original market place, The Forum, leads to a Roman Theatre, built during the reign of Antonius Pius (138-161BCE). On the left side of the theatre stage, a statue of a Bedouin warrior guards the Museum of Popular Tradition with its sixth-century mosaics, collections of antique jewellery and displays of traditional costumes. At the other side, the statue of a Circassian in traditional dress stands at the Jordanian Folklore Museum. A Bedouin tent features in a tableau depicting desert life, and a recreated living room from an Ammani house depicts the life of city dwellers.
Address: Downtown, Al-Hashami Street, Amman, 11115Telephone:
Opening times:
Sat-Thu 0800-1600, Fri 1000-1600 (Oct-Mar); Daily 0830-1900 (Apr-Sep)
Website:Admission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Little House of the Arts (Darat Al Funun)
This tranquil garden contains the former home of Peak Pasha, Captain (later, Lieutenant Colonel) Frederick Peak, who commanded the Arab Legion from the early 1920s until 1939. Now it is a gallery housing works by leading Arab artists. Visitors can expect a multitude of different collections from visiting exhibitions as well as workshops in writing, art and music, film screenings, talks, and interviews with artists displaying work.
Address: Jebel al-Qala'a, 13 Nadim al Mallah St, Amman, 11183Telephone: +962 6 464 3251/2
Opening times:
Sat-Thurs 1000-1900 (until 1500 during Ramadan).
Website: http://www.daratalfunun.orgAdmission Fees:
No
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Royal Automobile Museum
This museum has an amazing collection of motorbikes and cars dating back to the time of the Great Arab Revolt and includes the late King Hussein's 1952 Lincoln Capri (that he had while he was a student in England) and the 1955 Mercedes 300SL ‘Gullwing' he once raced. For motor enthusiasts, the museum also has the first ever car to officially be presented to the world (made by Karl Benz, a founder of Mercedes-Benz) and often hosts revolving exhibitions.
Address: Dabouq, King Hussein Park, Amman, 11822Telephone: +962 6 541 1392.
Opening times:
Wed-Mon 1000-1900.
Website: http://www.royalautomuseum.joAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Al-Husseini Mosque
The Al-Husseini Mosque was built by the late King Abdullah in 1924 on the site of a much older mosque and possibly also the site of Philadelphia's Byzantine cathedral. Constructed in pink and white stone in the Ottoman style, it was fully restored in 1987. Known also as the King Hussein Mosque, the streets outside are often full of life with street vendors and juice sellers peddling their wares. Entry is for Muslims only.
Address: Downtown, Hashemi St, Amman,Telephone:
Opening times:
Website:
Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Hejaz Railway Station
The Hejaz Railway Station, which is best visited in a taxi, is like a time-tunnel to a vanished age. Just ask the taxi driver to take you to Mahatta (Arabic for station). Trains leave from here to make the eight- or nine-hour trip to Damascus using rolling stock that was old when even Lawrence of Arabia was attempting to blow it up. There's a fine collection of working steam locomotives that are used for corporate and tourist excursions, a remarkable little railway museum and a very friendly station master too.
Address: Mahatta, Madina Al Munawarah Street, Amman,Telephone: +962 6 489 5413.
Opening times:
Sunrise to sunset.
Website: http://nabataea.net/hejaz.htmlAdmission Fees:
Yes
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities
Address: Jebel Amman, Al-Mutanabbi St, Third Circle, Amman, 11118Telephone: +962 6 460 3360.
Opening times:
Sun-Thurs 0830-1830
Website: http://www.mota.gov.joA selection of free glossy booklets, brochures and maps can be obtained from here. More information can be obtained online at www.visitjordan.com.
