The northern city of Ajloun is known for its relatively high precipitation compared to the rest of Jordan and is considered one of the most picturesque and green areas in the kingdom. This wonderful landscape picture is completed by the Ajloun Castle, a 12th-century Muslim fortress built by the nephew of the famous Muslim ruler Saladin to control the rebellious Bedouin tribes in the region. The fortress is located on Mount Ajloun and the access path to it, as well as the fortress itself, offers visitors spectacular panoramic views of the mountainous and forested countryside.
7. The Roman Theater of Amman
Amman, the capital, is considered the largest city in Jordan and the cultural and economic center of the kingdom. But among its busy, bustling streets, this city also holds some of the oldest and most preserved Roman buildings in the region. One of the most prominent examples of this is the great Roman theater, which was built during the reign of Antoninus Pius in the 2nd century CE. The ancient building underwent considerable renovations in the late 1950s and is now capable of seating about 6,000 people.
8. Desert Castles
East of Amman, in the heart of the Jordanian desert, lie some of the most beautiful and isolated reminders of the glory days of the Muslim empire in the form of ancient desert fortresses. This network of fortresses was built by the Umayyad dynasty, which ruled throughout the empire between the 7th and 8th centuries CE, and it served it for defensive purposes and for providing accommodation services to merchant delegations. One of the best-known fortresses is the Qasr Kharana, which was built in the early 8th century and is an outstanding example of Islamic architecture in the region.
9. Petra
Petra is undoubtedly one of the most famous tourist sites in Jordan. This ancient city, which served as the capital of the Nabatean kingdom from 312 BCE, is best known for its impressive burial palaces in red sandstone, which also gave it its nickname the Rose City. It’s amazing to learn that this ancient civilization was forgotten for many hundreds of years and was rediscovered only in the 19th century. Today, it is now possible to embark on guided tours and to be impressed by the ancient architecture of the area.
10. Dana Nature Reserve
The Dana Biosphere Reserve is located in the southeastern valleys to the Dead Sea, offering its visitors spectacular nature tours filled with impressive rocky canyons and wide valleys. The name of the reserve is derived from the ancient village “Dana” located next to it, which offers accommodation and guided tours to the width and length of unforgettable landscapes.