• The Citadel
The Citadel is a collection of ruins from ancient Rabbath-Amman. The site sits on top of a mountain with an amazing panoramic view of housing complexes covering entire hills, the Roman Theater, and the dessert landscape beyond. Even in the presence of such amazing history and architecture, it was difficult to keep my eyes off of the surrounding views. A few of us were lucky enough to get a short, private tour from a security guard. We learned what each building was used for and a bit about the time when the compound existed and flourished.
Below the Citadel and built into a hillside is the restored Roman Theater. The theater dates back to the second century AD, and is still used as a performance venue today. We drank sweet mint tea and climbed the tiers of seats to sit and enjoy the view of the stage from the top.
This impressive castle sits on top of a hill with a gorgeous view of the Northern Jordan Valley’s farmlands. Saladin’s general built Ajlun in 1184 AD to guard and control the iron mines, and deter the crusaders. The location allowed Saladin’s men to dominate the three main routes into the Jordan Valley and protect the communication between Jordan and Syria. Entering the castle we passed the first lines of defense- we crossed the drawbridge over the dry moat and into the walls, which had small slits for shooting arrows, and walked below the openings in the ceilings where buckets of hot water would have rained down on intruders. We saw remains from the church’s mosaic floor, climbed along the towers of the roof and explored the castle’s many rooms and staircases.
• Jerash Ruins
Jerash is known as one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world, and I can see why. The site is expansive and filled with intricately carved structures and ornate colonnaded streets. Jerash is absolutely breathtaking. The limestone blocks that make up much of the buildings are enormous, the structures grand and the plazas and public squares wide open. Jerash was hidden for centuries in sand and has been continually excavated for the past 70 years, in fact, I saw some archeologists at work measuring and graphing parts of the city.
Jerash is known as one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world, and I can see why. The site is expansive and filled with intricately carved structures and ornate colonnaded streets. Jerash is absolutely breathtaking. The limestone blocks that make up much of the buildings are enormous, the structures grand and the plazas and public squares wide open. Jerash was hidden for centuries in sand and has been continually excavated for the past 70 years, in fact, I saw some archeologists at work measuring and graphing parts of the city.
No comments:
Post a Comment