Historical Sites
Archaeological Centres
Amman offers a variety of historical sites from the Neolithic, Hellenistic, as well as late Roman to Arab Islamic periods. The Citadel is a good place to begin a tour of the archaeological sites of the city. It is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon and excavations have revealed numerous Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic remains. Located on a hill, it not only gives visitors a perspective of the city’s incredible history but also provides stunning views of downtown Amman.
A number of local and international archaeological centres have been established in Amman, a reflection of its significant historical worth:
Places of interest at the Citadel include: The Umayyad Palace complex, dating from about 730 AD; the Temple of Hercules, built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161180 AD); and the Byzantine Church, believed to date from the 6th or 7th century AD. Nearby attractions include: the restored Roman Theatre, which dates back to the 2nd century AD; the Roman Forum; the Nymphaeum; and Grand Husseini Mosque, built by Emir Abdullah in 1924 on the site of a much older mosque from the Umayyad period.
• Department of Antiquities
• American Centre for Oriental Research • Council for British Research in the Levant • French Institute of Archaeology for the Near East • Friends of Archaeology • German Protestant Institute for Archaeology
A steam engine from the Hejaz Railway..
Statue from The Jordan Archaeological Museum.
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The Grand Husseini Mosque in downtown Amman .