Welcome to the Kingdom of Jordan -- where adventure awaits you. Of the rich national legacy of the land and people of Jordan, the most ancient and enduring thread is our tradition of making visitors from other countries our friends.
Today, visitors come to Jordan to see its great natural beauty and see the Kingdom's historical and archaeological wealth. And as the centuries-old tradition of visiting Jordan continues, our friendship with people and cultures from the four corners of the earth are renewed.
In Jordan, our welcome to friends from other countries is as old as human travel itself. We welcome you to visit our country and to see its ancient traditions and contemporary vitality.
Ancient holy land
Jordan is unique and blessed land of the Old and New testaments and the early years of Islam. The litany of ancient place-names reads like a biblical gazet teer -- Edom, Moab, Ammon, Gilead, Gad and Paraea.
The medeba of Bible today is the small town of Madaba, only 30km south of Amman. Remains of the Roman road and civic architecture can still be seen in the midst of the modern town, but is the Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics for which Madaba is best known.
At the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George visitors may view the earliest surviving original map of the Holy Land, which was made around AD560.
In addition, there are other mosaic floors preserved throughout the town, as well as a fine local museum.
Less than 40km south of Madaba lies Mukawir, ancient Machaerus. This was the fortress built by Herod the Great, which after his death to Herod Antipoas. Here is where Herod imprisoned John the Baptist, and where the beautiful Salome danced for Herod, who presented her with the head of John the Baptist to honor her wishes.
The remains of the fortress' thick walls, which were largely destroyed by the Romans, dominate Mukawir which has a splendid views across the Dead Sea to the hills around Jerusalem.
Ten kilometers west of Madaba is the hilly district of Mount Nebo, on the western edge of the plateau with a spectacular view of the Jordan valley and the Dead Sea. On a clear day, the spires of the churches of Jerusalem are visible, and at night the lights of the city.
Mount Nebo is believed to be the tomb of Moses. It is a lonely, windswept hill. Protecting the ruins of a 4th and 6th century church whose floor is still covered with marvelous mosaics, is a building constructed by the Franciscans who started excavating the site in 1933.
Petra
A must see attraction "Petra." A two and a half hour drive from Amman on the King's Highway lead to Wadi Musa and Petra. The visitor enters Petra through a 1.2kms long narrow defile through the mountains which opens up to a spectacular view of the Treasury, or Khazneh in Arabic.
Petra, the Nabatean Kingdom's capital, is over 2,000 years old and contains over 800 mountains, some built but most carved out of the natural rock. They include tombs, temples, houses, theaters and elaborate water systems. The geological formation of rose-red rocks makes the view of Petra at sunrise or sunset a spectacular sight. Some of Petra's remains date back to the Stone Age and the Biblical period.
The mesmerizing rose-red city of Petra is a must for any visitor to Jordan. This ancient Nabatean city is so rich in history that everyday something new is being discovered.
Located south of Amman, you will find Petra very accessible. Private coaches run daily excursions to and from the capital with an average cost of US$7 one-way and US$14 roundtrip (excursion fares average US$45 which includes roundtrip bus transportation with a packed lunch as well as a horse-back ride in Petra).
Alone, the horse-back ride in Petra, up to the dramatic seik (narrow gorge), costs US$10. A horse-drawn carriage ride costs US$28, and physically challenged visitors are permitted to enter beyond the specified areas with their carriages. In addition, a tour guide can be hired overnight for US$90. In order to fully see Petra, we recommend a minimum stay of two days.
Jerash
Jerash and the cities of the Decapolis. Traveling an hour north of Amman, you will find yourself in one of the few remaining Greco-Roman outposts in the world. Jerash is probably the best preserved city of the Decapolis (ten cities in Greek). The Decapolis was a loose association of 10 co-Roman cities in north Jordan, Syria and Palestine.
Every summer, for two weeks, Jerash comes to life during the Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts. Jordanian and international troupes perform music, dance, poetry and drama, and craft displays of local artists and artisans add color to the festival. From April to October, Jerash presents a dramatic sound and light show every evening.
Dead Sea
The Dead Sea, about half an hour drive from Amman, the capital, it is the lowest point on earth -- 400 meters below sea level. As the name suggests, the sea is devoid of life due to an extremely high content of salts and minerals. But it is these natural elements which give the waters their curative powers, recognized since the days of Herod the Great, more than 2,000 years ago. They also provide the raw materials for the renowned Jordanian Dead Sea bath salts and cosmetic products which are marketed worldwide.
Tourist facilities provide accommodations for changing into swimming attire so the visitor can wade into the warm, soothing water.
Try as one may, it is impossible to sink in the thick brine which is four times as salty as regular sea water.
One can, however, recline on the water to read a newspaper. Seaside facilities include a modern hotel with a therapeutic clinic and a restaurant, bathing, sports complex, meeting the needs of day visitors or parties wishing to spend the night amidst one of the most dramatic and moving landscapes in the world.
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