AMMAN (dpa) – The view of Amman is especially breathtaking from the front of the citadel.
In the heat of the afternoon, the Jordanian capital looks peaceful – almost like a symbol for the Hashemite kingdom’s reputation as an oasis of stability in the Middle East. Like his father Hussein, King Abdullah is keen to steer a course of “peace through tourism”.Tourists can experience quite a lot in Jordan – especially when it comes to history. Standing by the citadel it becomes clear at a glance that this land between Jordan and the desert can look back on a long history.Archeological digs under the guidance of Spanish archaeologists have revealed the remains of thousands of years of history, among them such treasures as the Temple of Hercules and the expansive fortress complex of al-Qala, which was built at the beginning of Umayyad rule in the sixth century of the Christian Era (CE).The extent of antique Jordan becomes clear in Jerash, the ruins of the Roman city at Amman’s gates. Under Emperor Trajan the area around Gerasa enjoyed a 200-year renaissance around 100 years after the birth of Christ. The Cardo Maximus at Jerash – a one-kilometre-long, paved high street – provides a clue to the importance of this region in Antiquity.Jordan’s strong Biblical connections are too numerous to mention. During Byzantine rule, Madaba, south of Amman, was the regional centre for mosaic painters, a factor which helped this town to undreamed-of affluence.Today, mosaics still adorn churches, homes and workshops in the town and are a major attraction for tourists. The most famous work, the mosaic in the Greek-Orthodox Church of St. George, was fashioned in the sixth century and shows a map of Palestine which was used by visitors to the Holy Land at that early date.Mount Nebo, to the west of Madaba, also bears witness to Jordan’s Biblical past. From here, the Bible says that Moses saw the promised land that he would never enter.From Mount Nebo he ascended into heaven after he had led his people home from exile. Franciscan monks now tend the holy ruins and the archaeological digs. They are proud that Pope John Paul II knelt in the mountain chapel, blessing it with his prayers.Bethany forms the link between the Old and the New Testaments. Here, on the edge of the desert, John baptized Jesus. The site of the christening, declared authentic by the Vatican, is in the military buffer zone on the border to Israel but is open to visitors.Further south on the banks of the Dead Sea a construction boom has changed the face of the area. The big companies have decided to build their hotel complexes here now that Israel is not so attractive. A dip in the Dead Sea is an unforgettable experience, while after sunset the lights of Jerusalem become visible on the horizon on the opposite shore.The undisputed highpoint of any Jordan tour is the antique Nabataean city of Petra on the Wadi Musa. The entrance fee of 20 dinars may put some people off, but the investment of around 30 dollars is worth every cent.Even the road through the two-kilometre- long Bab as-Siq becomes a journey through time and space. Rare pieces of relief by antique masters can be found on the cliff walls of the early procession route with its weathered stone facing. The ceremonial prayer corners bear testimony to Nabataean religious beliefs.One day is not enough to explore the treasures and architectural jewels of this once flourishing desert city. Monuments, treasure houses, mausoleums and cliff habitations demonstrate how mighty the city of Petra must have been. It was only evacuated after a violent earthquake in the 6th century CE.Petra’s most famous building is certainly the so-called Pharaoh’s Treasure House, al-Khaznah. Whether the function of the rock-cut monument was a temple, grave or mausoleum is hotly debated among experts. The size of the one-time metropolis is shown by the antique amphitheatre which had seats for 3,000 spectators.Luxury hotels can also be found in the area around Petra. Investor groups have bought up deserted hill villages and remodelled them into hotel complexes with a flair all their own. Individual guest rooms and suites have been created from the simplest of dwellings. But while the character of the village has been retained, the comfort of a five-star hotel awaits its guests. An in-house souk also provides an opportunity for browsing and buying.In Al-Aqabah on the Red Sea, very close to the Israeli resort of Eilat, broad beaches and crystal-clear water beckon after the exciting journey into Jordanian history calls for some relaxation. Mild temperatures attract tourists here all year round and has made Al-Aqabah a lively holiday and diving destination.The accommodation on offer is on a par with other resorts, certainly, and yet a distinctive atmosphere is detectable here. Its discreet charm is bound to prove relaxing.
