Jordan’s capital offers a fascinating blend of history and modernity. Much of the city was built during the 20th century, but alongside the contemporary buildings are remnants of the many ancient civilisations that left their mark on Jordan. Visitors can stroll through bustling souks, savour a refreshing mint tea or shisha in one of the many cafés, and shop for authentic souvenirs in the artisan shops.
Set atop Amman’s highest hill is the historic site known as the Citadel. Occupied since the Bronze Age, the site houses remains of the Roman Temple of Hercules and the eight-century Umayyad Palace, a complex of royal and residential buildings that was once home of the governor of Amman.
Some of Amman’s most impressive archaeological treasures date from when Jordan was under Roman rule, beginning in 63 BC and lasting for four centuries. In the city’s Downtown area, visitors can explore remains of a second-century public fountain and an amphitheatre that once sat around 6,000 spectators. Nearby is the Ottoman-style Grand Husseini Mosque, constructed in the 1920s on the site of an ancient mosque built originally in 640 AD.
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