Jordan’s historic sites take travellers back in time
Jordan is highlighting its millennial heritage at ITB Berlin 2024, giving visitors to the show a sneak peak of the extraordinary history the destination has to offer. Many sites remain incredibly well preserved today, with six of them UNESCO-classified.
As-Salt
As-Salt, located 30 km northwest of Amman, it is known for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. The historical centre with its narrow alleyways, stairs and picturesque views offers a unique flair in Jordan, reflecting a tolerant and multicultural society.
Petra
Petra is undoubtedly Jordan’s most famous World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Petra was founded in the 3rd century BC and at its peak, between 30,000 and 40,000 people lived here. The magnificent tombs carved out of the colourful rocks, the amphitheatre, the monastery and the path through the Siq, a 2-m wide and up to 100-m high gorge are just some of Petra’s highlights.
Wadi Rum
The World Heritage Site of Wadi Rum is well-known as a backdrop to famous films such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Star Wars”, “Dune” and “Transformers”. The reddish desert with its steeply rising sandstone and granite cliffs is considered one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, and it can be explored by jeep, camel or hiking along the famous Jordan Trail.
Qusair Amra
Qusair Amra is a small desert palace with ornate frescoes from the 8th century, a unique testimony to the Umayyad architecture. A zodiac sign on the domed ceiling of the caldarium (warm room) is one of the world’s oldest surviving depictions of a celestial map.
Umm ar-Rasas
Umm ar-Rasas, once a Roman fort, is an important Christian pilgrimage centre with 16 churches covered with its mosaic depicting biblical scenes. Outside the city stands a stylite tower 14 m high, probably the last surviving one of its kind.
The baptismal site of Jesus
Al-Maghtas, officially known as “Bethany beyond the Jordan”, is the second youngest UNESCO World Heritage Site in Jordan. The site was added to the list in 2015. According to research, John the Baptist is said to have baptized Jesus here. Finds from Byzantine times prove that the site was venerated as a baptismal site. The baptismal site was also conveniently located in terms of transportation, close to the road that led from Jerusalem via Jericho to the other side of the Jordan, where Madaba, Mount Nebo and the King’s Highway are located.
Visitors to ITB Berlin can stop by Jordan’s stand for more information on these unique historical sites and discover Jordan’s full range of tourism offers.
