Amman Citadel — Attraction in Amman

The Amman Citadel, a historical landmark in Jordan, is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient history and stunning panoramic views. Nestled atop a hill in the heart of Amman, the Citadel offers a captivating journey through the city's rich past. Highlights of the Citadel: Roman Ruins: Explore the impressive remains of the Temple of Hercules, one of the largest Roman temples outside of Italy. Admire its towering columns and marvel at the intricate carvings. Umayyad Palace: Discover the opulent Umayyad Palace, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Its grand courtyard, mosaic floors, and ornate decorations showcase the opulence of the Umayyad dynasty. Byzantine Church: Visit the well-preserved Byzantine Church, offering a glimpse into the city's Christian heritage. Admire its intricate mosaics and learn about its significance in Amman's history. National Archaeological Museum: Explore the fascinating exhibits at the National Archaeological Museum, showcasing artifacts from various periods of Amman's history. Discover the city's ancient treasures and learn about its cultural significance. Panoramic Views: Enjoy breathtaking views of Amman from the Citadel's vantage point. Witness the city's sprawling urban landscape, its modern skyline, and the surrounding hills. Tips for Visiting the Amman Citadel: Wear comfortable shoes: The Citadel is a large site with uneven terrain, so comfortable shoes are essential for exploring the ruins. Bring a hat and sunscreen: The Jordanian sun can be intense, especially during the summer months. Protect yourself by wearing a hat and applying sunscreen. Plan your visit: The Citadel is open daily, but it's best to check the opening hours and plan your visit accordingly. Consider going during the cooler parts of the day, especially in the summer. Hire a guide (optional): If you want to learn more about the Citadel's history and architecture, consider hiring a knowledgeable guide. They can provide valuable insights and answer your questions. The Amman Citadel is a truly remarkable historical site that offers a unique blend of ancient ruins, stunning views, and cultural significance. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a culture seeker, or simply looking for a memorable experience, the Citadel is a must-visit...

The Amman Citadel (Arabic: جبل القلعة, romanized: Jabal Al-Qal'a) is an archeological site at the center of downtown Amman, the capital of Jordan. The L-shaped hill is one of the seven hills (jabals) that originally made up Amman.

The Citadel has a long history of occupation by many great civilizations.1] Evidence of inhabitance since the Neolithic period has been found and the hill was fortified during the Bronze Age (1800 BCE). The hill became the capital of the Kingdom of Ammon sometime after 1200 BCE. It later came under the sway of empires such as the Neo-Assyrian Empire (8th century BCE), Neo-Babylonian Empire (6th century BC), the Ptolemies, the Seleucids (3rd century BCE), Romans (1st century BCE), Byzantines (3rd century CE) and the Umayyads (7th century CE).[2] After the Umayyads, came a period of decline and for much of the time until 1878 as the former city became an abandoned pile of ruins only sporadically used by Bedouins and seasonal farmers.[3[5] Despite this gap, the Citadel of Amman is considered to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited places.[6]

Most of the structures still visible at the site are from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods.[7] The major remains at the site are the Temple of Hercules, a Byzantine church, and the Umayyad Palace. The Jordan Archaeological Museum was built on the hill in 1951. Though the fortification walls enclose the heart of the site, the ancient periods of occupation covered large areas. Historic structures, tombs, arches, walls and stairs have no modern borders, and therefore there is considerable archaeological potential at this site, as well as in surrounding lands, and throughout Amman. Archaeologists have been working at the site since the 1920s, including Italian, British, French, Spanish, and Jordanian projects,[8] but a great part of the Citadel...

There is much to see at this site, which boasts impressive views of the city and archeological ruins from the Ammonites of the Iron Age right through to the caliphates of the Islamic era. Most impressive is the Temple of Hercules, with great colums and half a hand and an elbow of the otherwise destroyed collosal statue of Hercules. You will need a lot time, maybe an hour and a half at least to see everything. It is a wonderful walk and there is a shop and cafe on site for refreshments. Within the grounds is the Archeological Museum which has a modest but interesting selection of finds from the Neolithic to the Islamic era. Be warned, the Sunday closing time is stated as 1730 online but they started ushering everyone out at 1643. A short toothless groundsman with little English skills even got arsy when I asked for 5 minutes to see the Ammonite section. Presumably they all wanted to go home early. I have experienced this at other sites in Jordan, namely the Jordan museum. Perhaps this is due to Ramadan, but if so, the opening hours should be changed accordingly. The cleaners turned the toilet into a biblical deluge of water and cleaning fluid at about 1600 and were a bit rough around the edges in their interactions with tourists. On a more positive note, I spotted two peregrine falcons and several Palestine sunbirds, as well a plethora of caterpillars of one particular species. Aside from the lack of discipline and professionalism exhibited by the groundsmen, Amman citadel was well worth visiting and is a must see for all tourists. The 4 star rating reflects the high appeal that this site has for visitors. Anyone who enjoys panoramic views, history and archaeology, nice walks or even wildlife will find great value...