Amman Citadel

As you approach the southern edges of the citadel complex, you will encounter the foundational remnants of a massive fortification system. The Citadel is completely enclosed by an impressive wall that measures seventeen hundred…

Walking further into the heart of the citadel, your eyes are immediately drawn upward to the most famous and imposing structures on the entire hill. Before you stand the towering remnants of the Temple of Hercules, a phenomenal…

Just a short distance south from the towering columns of the Temple of Hercules, you will encounter a remarkably different architectural footprint. Here lie the quiet, low stone walls of a Byzantine church, a profound symbol of…

Continuing your journey northward across the plateau, you are greeted by an architectural masterpiece that defines the Islamic era of the citadel. Before you stands the magnificent Monumental Gateway, often referred to as the…

Exiting the northern arch of the Monumental Gateway, you step directly onto the ancient Colonnaded Street. This wide, formal avenue dates back to the Umayyad expansion in seven hundred and thirty of the common era. …

As you explore the eastern edge of the palace ruins, you will encounter one of the most critical feats of ancient engineering on the citadel: the Great Umayyad Cistern. Known locally as the Birka, this massive, circular water…

Positioned deliberately on the absolute highest point of the Amman Citadel, slightly south of the main palace complex, are the foundational remains of the Umayyad Mosque. Dating back to roughly seven hundred and fifty of the…

Nestled comfortably within the ancient grounds of the citadel, you will find a relatively modern structure that serves as a vital key to understanding the site: the Jordan Archaeological Museum. Constructed directly on the…

As our journey across the Amman Citadel comes to a close, make your way to the southern edge of the viewing plaza. Stand safely near the protective railing and look straight down the steep, dramatic incline of the hill. …