Fuheis is located 12 km west of the capital, Amman, at an altitude of 700 m-1100 m above sea level, and has a population of 19,500 people living in a geographical area of approximately 20 km2. The Fuhais community is active and vibrant, with a high level of education and culture. He is open to others, educated, aware of the issues of the country, society and the local environment. He is committed to public affairs and has a distinguished role at the national level and in cultural and political work. He has a good presence in the commercial and business community, and among his children are many people with specializations and skills, intellectuals, writers and politicians… all of these. The elements provide important opportunities for national and humanitarian cultural and intellectual movement, and a fertile ground for adopting the cultural structure of society as a basis for dialogue, development, growth, work, and creative initiatives.
The areas of work of the people of Fuheis are diverse, and include education, agriculture, tourism, commerce, industry, banking, engineering, health, services and entrepreneurship. The establishment of the cement factory in 1951 had a major negative impact on the available and latent attractions in the town and its community, as it is an agricultural area with a productive level. Historically high, and has an attractive tourist character due to its rural, historical and urban character, which is enhanced by the average geographical location in the Kingdom to the west of the capital, Amman, and the city’s view with its neighbor Mahes on the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, the city of Jerusalem, and the mountains of Palestine to the west, and on the mountains of Jerash and Ajloun to the north.
Historical location
Tower and nave of Khirbet al-Deir church
It is located east of the city of Fuheis and dates back to 800 years before the birth of Christ. It was a center for examining caravans between the kingdoms of Ammon and Gilead BC, and was used by the Romans in ancient times in the year 64 AD, and by Saladin al-Ayyubi as a weapons factory in later stages. It still stands today as a witness to the history of ancient Fuheis.
Homes, heritage buildings and natural heritage
There are many ancient heritage places and houses that witnessed the beginnings of contemporary Fuheis after 1600 AD, and they represent the ancient architectural style of houses in Jordanian villages. Many of these houses are still standing in the Old City area (Al-Qanater) and the monastery area. The Municipal Council in Fuheis took a decision this year to prevent the demolition of any heritage houses, and is working on preparing programs and projects to restore and preserve them, as they constitute an architectural and historical heritage of the city.
Geographically
Fuhais is characterized by being almost surrounded by a “green belt”, extending from the Kamaliyya oak forest, to the forest of the royal palaces in Al-Hamar, and by vineyards and peach, almond and olive farms in Al-Hamar, Al-Muqbela, Umm Rajum and Al-Deir, and oak forests extending from Al-Hashimiya and Ras Al-Jundi towards the New Badr Mountains. And what is happening? In addition, there are many state-owned forest lands along the municipal border areas from Al-Qaaratain, to Al-Hamar, to Khirbet Al-Deir, to Umm Alia and Umm Al-Fash, and to Al-Khandaq and the Wadi Al-Azraq Canyon… These forests – and linear parks, so to speak – are around Fuheis. It paves the way for great opportunities for the emergence of distinguished entertainment and tourism sites if these sites are rehabilitated to what they were not long ago, and whose image is still fresh in the memory of fathers and generations from before the era of cement and the period of Ottoman rule, which destroyed a large part of the Fuheis forests and its oaks. Thus, it enables the restoration of the wildlife and types of flowers that characterized the spring of our homes and restores the beautiful green character of our city to its previous state.
Brief history
Al-Fuheis is an ancient town deeply rooted in history, and its beginnings go back to before the eighth century BC. It was called by several names and its name was derived from examination and scrutiny because it is located on the caravan route between the ancient kingdoms on both banks of the immortal Jordan River. The city was famous for its central location in the three kingdoms: Ammon, Heshbon, and Gilead. The Romans inhabited Fuhais in 64 BC and used its castle – which still stands today in Khirbet al-Deir – as a watchtower to protect their commercial caravans.
Currently, Fuheis is a beautiful rural city that has kept pace with the modern renaissance of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Its people are nicknamed the Horse Boys for their equestrianism and generosity. It is the pearl of Balqa Governorate, and is famous for its trees, vineyards and forests. Fuheis was named as a municipality in 1962.
Churches and archaeological religious sites
1. The first archaeological site of a church exists today in Khirbet al-Deir and dates back to the first eras of Christianity in Jordan.
2. There is also the site of the ancient Fuheis Church in the “Rub’ al-Hawa” cave in the Old City, whose use dates back to the year 1600 AD.
3. The building of the Greek Orthodox Church near Ross al-Bayader, which dates back to the year 1850 AD and has now been transformed into the Orthodox Church Museum.
4. The Old Latin Church, dating back to 1886.
5. St. George Greek Orthodox Church/Al-Balad, built in 1909.
6. Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Latin Country, built in 1932.
7. The Roman Catholic Church/Al-Balad was built in 1936.
8. Church of the Virgin, Mother of Graces/Al-Atin – Alali.
9. Saint James/Greek Orthodox Church – Alali.
Culture
Al-Rowaq Rowaq Al-Balqa’
Fuheis ‘Rowaq Al-Balqa’ district boasts hundred-year-old stone cottages in the old town, preserved by a local who bought an art gallery in the area and proceeded to buy several cottages near it, converting them to art-and-craft shops.
Fuheis festival
Fuheis Festival is an annually held event in Fuheis, and it is considered to be the second biggest festival in Jordan, after Jerash Festival.
They have celebrated their silver jubilee in 2016, where they have welcomed bands and artists from Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon to perform in concerts and poetry evenings.
Several artists and singers from across the region were invited to perform in the town, like: Wadih El Safi, Melhem Barakat, Sabah Fakhri, Fares Karam, Moeen Charif, Omar Al-Abdallat, George Kurdahi, Najwa Karam, and many more, and the variety of night events and activities attracts around 10,000 to 30,000 visitors yearly.
Museums and galleries
1. The Greek Orthodox Church Museum, which was founded in 1880, contains pictures of the heads of the church of the city of Fuheis from decades ago, and includes priests’ robes, offerings, and communion and consecration tools that were used in ancient times.
2. Riwaq Al-Balqa Gallery, which was established in 1992, where art exhibitions are held by famous international plastic and classical artists.
3. Al Housh Gallery, which holds international art exhibitions and drawings.
4. Khirbet al-Deir Museum, which was opened in 2018. It displays paintings, artifacts, stamps, and old international publications from many countries.
5. Mada Gallery was established in 2018 and displays paintings by visual artist Jamal Sweis and artist Heba Sweis.
