4 minute read
Fascinating Jordan and Petra
BY JUDY VOS
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a sovereign Arab state in western Asia, on the East Bank of the Jordan River. The Dead Sea lies along its western borders and the country has a small shoreline on the Red Sea in its extreme southwest, but is otherwise landlocked. Jordan is strategically located at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe.
Jordan is spectacular, safe, uncrowded and friendly, a totally underrated destination with some of the oldest cities on earth where people have been living for more than 6 500 years. A visit to Jordan is an experience far beyond expectations, which will reveal ancient history, stunning landscapes and great diversity.
The ancient city of Jerash, 6 500 years old, is one of the best-preserved Roman cities in the world. Truly breath-taking are the public squares and baths, paved streets lined with pillars, grand temples and a hippodrome where gladiators fought. The locals enjoy putting on a show of chariot races for visitors.
And then there is Petra, the iconic lost pink city, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Because of its position at the ancient crossroads linking southern Arabia, China and India with Rome,Egypt, Syria and Greece, Petra’s trade in silk and spice made it rich and powerful.Nothing prepares you for your first sighting of Petra. Its huge facades carved into the rocks take the breath away around each corner. It is a vast, unique city, carved into the sheer rock face by the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled there more than 2 000 years ago. (Herod’s wife was a Nabataean.) Sometimes the towering walls of the narrow canyon are so high you can hardly see the sky.
The stunning view of Ad Deir, the Monastery of Petra
At the entrance to the city you pass through Al Khazneh, the 40m high “Treasury” – which is actually a tomb, beyond which you are surrounded on both sides by hundreds of Petra’s carved and built structures, soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a curved Nabatean theatre (seating 3 000 people), large and small houses, burial chambers, banquet halls, water channels and reservoirs, baths, monumental staircases, cultic installations, arched gates, public buildings and paved streets.
Plan to spend at least two nights at Petra and treat yourself to “Petra by Night” – an evening with candlelight and music. But even a week or a month is not enough time to see all the riches of this incredible ancient city where archaeologists are still uncovering amazing new finds.
Amman, the capital of Jordan, is one of the oldest cities in the world – so old it was mentioned in the Bible as Rabath Ammon. Amman is an ideal place from which to explore the surrounding areas of northern Jordan.
The new downtown of Amman abdali area - Jordan Amman city
The desert castles were built in the north-eastern desert as hunting and pleasure palaces by the Umayyad caliphs in the eighth century: Kharraneh Castle, the bathing castle Amra with its beautiful murals, and the castle Azraq in the oasis of the same name.
Um Qeis, the ancient Gadara, lies on a hill overlooking the sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. This is the Biblical place where Jesus exorcised demons from a man and sent them into a herd of pigs. Here are archaeological findings of a theatre, as well as ancient ruins of churches and graves. From here, a drive through the always green Jordan valley brings you to Pella, one of the most ancient sites in Jordan and a favourite of archaeologists, being exceptionally rich in antiquities.
Amman itself, originally built on seven hills, is fascinating to explore, including the Citadel, the Roman Theatre and the Archaeological and Folklore Museums. The citadel, on one of the highest hills, offers a splendid view of the old city.
Antique theatre in ancient Roman city of Jerash
While in Jordan, a desert experience is mandatory. Wadi Rum or Moon Valley, described by Lawrence of Arabia as “vast, echoing and God-like”, is one of the most beautiful deserts in the world. Veteran jeeps take visitors into its immense interior, where huge sandstone mountains are scattered on the horizon. The endless colourful sand plains demand to be photographed.
– Kate Turkington, South Africa’s well-known world traveller, travel writer and broadcaster.
Beautiful ancient rocks forming a gorge in Petra
And there is still more to be experienced in Jordan:
• Mount Nebo, the burial place of Moses, offers spectacular views
• Bethany, where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan
• Aqaba, the only sea city in Jordan, offers scuba diving and snorkelling, fascinating souks and private beaches in certain hotels
• The Dead Sea: cover yourself in mud and feel years younger.
