Archives: Locations

Some of the most important events in the lives of Isaac’s twin sons, Jacob, and Esau, took place in ancient Jordan.
It is believed to be the place where Jacob stopped during his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan. They have long been identified with two sites in north-central Jordan.

Tel Mar Elias “Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” — I Kings 17:1. One of the five sites officially recognized by the Vatican and [...]

Wadi Rum is an ideal location for adventurers and off-roaders, with plenty of places to hike, climb, and trek. True climbers can test their skills by ascending Jordan’s highest mountain, Jabal Rum. A guide is recommended for the trip to the summit, and arrangements should be made previously at Rum village or at a tourist agency.

Wadi Faynan was one of the biggest copper mines in the Roman Empire. It lies south of the Dead Sea on the east side of the Wadi Arabah which separates Israel from Jordan.

Site of the famous miracle of the Gadarene swine, Gadara was renowned in its time as a cultural center. It was the home of several classical poets and philosophers, including Theodor’s, founder of a rhetorical school in Rome, and was once called “a new Athens” by a poet.

The Nabataeans were people of surprises. They built the northern city of Umm al-Jimal. Using the local rough black basalt instead of the soft rose sandstone of Wadi Musa, they created an eerie black city whose name, “Mother of Camels.

Umm Al-Rasas(also spelled Umm ar-Rasas and Um er-Rasas) is an important archaeological site that was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004. Its structures date from the 3rd to 9th centuries and most have not yet been excavated

THE UMAYYAD PALACE IS LOCATED inside what is known as theCitadel. Locals refer to it as Jabal al-Qal’a, as the site is located on one of Amman’s many hills (jabals in Arabic). Most of the directions in Amman will reference one of the hills in the city.

Part of the great beacon chain of Crusader fortresses, Shobak Castle is by far the most lonely. Built in 1115 AD by Baldwin I, who later built Karak, it was originally known as Mont Realis (Montreal) and was the first outpost of the kingdom of Jerusalem in the Crusader district of Outre Jordan.