Amman Citadel visit in 2025 скачать в хорошем качестве

Amman Citadel visit in 2025

One of the first places nearly every tourist visits in Jordan is the Amman Citadel. It’s a key part of what’s known here as the “City Tour,” which usually includes the Citadel, the Roman Amphitheater, and the downtown souk. Sometimes your guide might also take you to try some knafeh at Um Habiba or grab a quick meal at Hashem—fast, tasty food, often vegetarian but not always. The Citadel is a highlight, and I’ve shared heaps of content about it on my YouTube, Facebook, and reels. Today, let’s revisit it together—see the Temple of Hercules, the small museum, the ancient water system, the hammam, and the Umayyad palace and mosque. Right now, the entrance is slightly downhill due to a new gate under construction. Nearby, there’s a big map of the site, a café, public restrooms, and a restaurant. As you enter, the Temple of Hercules dominates the front. Behind it, you’ll find the famous Hand and Elbow of Hercules, just before the small archaeological museum—don’t skip it! It’s easy to overlook some incredible sites here. For instance, just behind me is the lime kiln, next to the Byzantine churches. The Byzantines, part of the Eastern Roman Empire, came after the Romans, around the 6th or 7th century. The churches have typical basilica features: a narthex, nave, side aisles, and an apse. Nearby, a well and a beautiful mosaic hint at the daily lives of the monks—dorms, stables, bakeries, workshops—all likely reused Roman stones. From about 661–750 AD, the Umayyads were here. The hammam has two entrances: one from the palace and one from the city side. It was built next to the water system and used a hypocaust to heat the caldarium and tepidarium. The cooler room (frigidarium) and resting area (apodyterium) were nearby. An earthquake around 748 AD destroyed part of this area. The Umayyad palace was likely built around 724–743 AD by Caliph Hisham. Its gateway has four symmetrical rooms that may have served as waiting rooms. The central square could’ve been open or covered. The audience hall once had 106 niches, decorated with stucco and painted leaf motifs. You’ll notice both original and restored masonry as you walk through. Look closely—some of the site’s smaller structures are easy to miss. Part of the ancient water system includes underground cisterns. One building near the colonnaded street fascinates me—it looks like an oven, maybe part of a bakery or shop. You can see a flue-like feature that hints at its use. After the Umayyad gate and the colonnaded street, you enter the palace complex. There are three main reception halls where the governor met important guests. Around them are smaller rooms, possibly living quarters or suites. Some spaces may have served as a throne room. You’ll see high vaulted ceilings, niches, wells, and fireplaces—signs of comfort and power. One thing I love about Jordan is the freedom to wander these ancient places. You can explore at your own pace. But keep in mind—there’s little shade, so wear a hat, sunscreen, and comfy shoes. Before reaching the palace, there’s a souk on the west side. Local people would have shopped here, even if they never entered the palace itself. The space I’m sitting in now is the Umayyad mosque. Its columns outline a sanctuary area, with a mihrab in the wall showing the direction of Mecca. No visit is complete without seeing the Hand of Hercules. It and the Elbow were part of a colossal 13-meter statue that once stood in the temple. The small museum nearby is full of treasures—I’ve already featured it in many videos. Before heading out, walk to the lower platform behind the Temple of Hercules. You’ll pass sarcophagi and come across a giant stone—half of an ancient olive press, beautifully carved and easy to miss. On my way out, I met some lovely students from Al-Zaytoonah University studying tourism—smart, friendly, future leaders in the field. I reminded them how important it is for visitors to protect themselves from the sun—hats, sunscreen, sunglasses, and modest, breathable clothing. Just when I thought I was done, the Citadel surprised me again. There’s a newly excavated Ammonite area here! Hopefully, by my next visit, more will be uncovered, and we’ll get a deeper look into this ancient city's past. If you enjoyed this vlog, give it a thumbs up, subscribe, and tap the bell icon for updates. I’m Jules, retiring at 60—come along with me on the adventure! Like, Share & Subscribe for the latest videos My book HANDY CRUISE COMPANION, Cruise with Confidence is available on Amazon http://bit.ly/HandyCruiseCompanioneBook Check out my website http://www.julescruisecompanion.com.au/ Follow me on Facebook   / julie.burgess.5011   Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/julescruise... Copyright JCC Edited by VideoGuru:https://videoguru.page.link/Best