RELIGION & FAITH
Amman is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and there are many Biblical references to the city, which was then known as Rabbath-Ammon. Later renamed Philadelphia (after the Ptolemaic ruler Philadelphus), the city also became part of the Decapolis League, an alliance of ten Roman-ruled cities including Jerash, Gadara (present-day Umm Qays), Pella, Arbila (Irbid) and others. During the Byzantine period, Philadelphia was the seat of a Christian bishop, and a number of impressive churches were built here.
 |
|
The Umayyad Mosque at the Citadel.
| The Citadel, which towers above the city from Jabal al-Qala'a, is the site of ancient Rabbath-Ammon, and excavations here have uncovered Roman, Byzantine and early Islamic remains. The most impressive, known simply as al-Qasr ("the Palace"), dates back to the Islamic Umayyad period. Nearby are the ruins of Umayyad palace grounds.
Close by are the remains of a small Byzantine basilica while roughly 100 metres south of the church is what is thought to have been a temple of Hercules - also known as the Great Temple of Amman - which was built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The King Hussein Mosque, also known as al-Husseini Mosque, is an Ottoman-style mosque rebuilt in 1924 on the site of an ancient mosque. Amman’s famous gold souq is just a short distance away.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
The Jordan Archeological Museum boasts an excellent collection of antiquities ranging from prehistoric times to the 15th century, including an exhibit of the Dead Sea Scrolls and four Iron Age anthropo-morphic coffins.
|
|
|
In Graeco-Roman times, Amman was known as Philadelphia, it was named after the Roman emperor Philadelphus. Prior to that it was known as Rabbath-Ammon.
|
|
|
Amman consists of an old and more traditional part called "City Centre" or "Downtown" (in Arabic 'Balad'), and a modern more vibrant western style "West Amman".
|
|
|
Amman is one of the oldest continuously occupied cities in the world.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|