The Citadel Hill of Amman

There are a lot of historical sites that can be found in Amman Jordan, one of the most popular tourist attractions is the Citadel Hill of Amman. What exactly is special about this old structure for people to even bother making the trip?

One would be able to find the great temple of Hercules in the Citadel Hill of Amman which is located in the country of Jordan. This great structure was said to be constructed through the command of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, who was able to reign in Rome from 161 to 180 AD, the temple was built between 162 – 166 AD and was believed to be larger than any temple that has been built in Rome.

The structure was said to be inhabited for centuries and served as a site for military and religious purposes and the remains that were found in it, might possibly date back to the Bronze Age. However, the absence of columns on the rest of the Temple of Hercules which is said to be similar to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, might mean that the temple was unfinished.

The Citadel Hill is just one of the tourist destinations in Amman and is also known as Jabal al-Qal’a and the Temple of Hercules has a model that can be found in ACOR or the American Center for Oriental Research in Amman. If one does not have the energy to make a trip to the actual Citadel Hill then it would be best to just book a room in one of the Amman hotels to get an idea of how the structure really looks like in real life. Amman has a lot of things in store for visitors, not only the Citadell Hill, so one might consider a trip to this lovely city in the future.

Things to Remember when Traveling to Amman

If one wishes to visit Amman, there surely are things that one should remember to have a truly wonderful experience. Amman is a liberal city, but although that is the case 96% of the population are Sunni Muslims and Islam is still the main religion in the city which plays an important role in the society. Jordanians are hospitable and they like to guide travelers to their journey and introducing the city’s rich cultural heritage however, you should remember that you try not to arrange Friday appointments as this is not an ideal time to party for Muslims.

When it comes to food, their local specialties are also similar to the ones found in Greece, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, but there are also restaurants that offer other European specialties. A must try would be the mensaf, this dish is a stewed lamb with yoghurt sauce and is served on a bed of rice but should be eaten using the fingers.

Beverages are also widely available in Amman, as there are no licensing laws that would affect the distribution of beer or wine but during the Ramadan drinking in public is forbidden between sunrise and sunset.

There is also a wide selection of hotels in Amman as they are always expecting tourists to come to their country. A tourist will surely enjoy his Amman visit if he will be able to keep in mind these things.

When to Visit – Arts and Events

Hospitality is important to Jordanians. Proud of their Arab culture, they are happy to act as guides and keen to share their fascinating history and traditions with visitors. As 96% of the population are Sunni Muslims, Islam plays an important role in society and it is essential that Muslim beliefs are respected, so if possible avoid arranging Friday appointments. During social occasions, Arabic coffee is served continually, but you can indicate that a refill is not needed by slightly tilting the cup when handing it back. To refuse a refill of any other drink, put your hand over the cup and say ‘da’iman’, which means ‘always’ or ‘may it ever be thus’.

Amman Dining

Jordanian food is similar to that of Lebanon, Syria, Greece and Turkey, although most restaurant menus include European as well as local dishes. Many starters (meze) are based on pulses and cracked wheat, such as humus, fuul, falafel, kube and tabouleh. A main course speciality is mensaf, stewed lamb with yoghurt sauce served on a bed of rice and traditionally eaten with the fingers.
Other typical dishes are musakhan, chicken roasted in olive oil and onions with Arab bread, and mahshi waraq inab, vine leaves stuffed with minced meat, rice and spices. Bottled mineral water, beer, wine and soft drinks are widely available. There are no licensing laws, but during Ramadan smoking and drinking in public is forbidden between sunrise and sunset.

Amman Tipping Advice

Hotels and restaurants usually add a service charge of 10% to 12%, with extra tips being discretionary. Tips for porters and drivers should be approximately 8%.

Amman’s Popular Jerash Festival

Every summer, Amman is host to a great festival that celebrates the culmination of commerce, art
and culture of Middle Eastern and Western Societies in Jordan which is called the Jerash festival.
This festival lasts for two weeks in July, and this showcases local folklore dancers and troupes
from other cities all over the world.

Although majority of the presenters would perform dance numbers, there are also groups that
read poetry, ballet and other form of art for the entertainment of the people of Amman and its
visitors. This event was inaugurated by Queen Noor Al-Hussein in 1981 and since then, this event
has been the main attraction in Amman, Jordan. It has been a kind of cultural carnival with the
actual setting being the Greco-Roman city, and will surely be an unforgettable experience for
anyone who enjoys this type of entertainment. This would also highlight the city’s architectural
structures that are wonderfully enveloped in brilliant floodlights which would include the
Byzantine churches, temples and other historical monuments. There are also displays of
wonderful artifacts from skilled craftsmen during the entire festival, which would include jewelry,
ceramics and Bedouin rugs, to name a few.

Although the Jerash Festival seemed to happen in the lowest tourism season in Jordan, people
still might have difficulty in booking rooms and reservations in hotels in Amman, it would be
best if one would book it in advance.