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During orientation, we went on a city tour as a group and saw different parts of Amman. Although it is hard to capture the beauty and essence of the places we saw, here are a few snapshots from the trip!
Located on top of the Amman Citadel (جبل القلعة), the Temple of Hercules is a historic site at the center of downtown Amman and is considered to be one of the most significant Roman structures in this area; it is actually larger than any temple in Rome itself. Visitors who stop by this location can see the influence of different civilizations as the Umayyad Palace remains standing close to the temple. Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
The Amman Citadel also has one of the best panoramic views in Amman. Situated at a high vantage point, you can admire the hilly landscape of the busy city, see the houses that color Jordan’s capital, count the minarets of mosques nearby, and appreciate the beauty of the city all around. Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
On the other side of the Citadel, another distinctive landmark is observable: the Raghadan Flagpole. Built in 2003, it is one of the largest free-standing flagpoles in the world. Given its impressive size, the flag can be seen from as far away as 20 kilometers or 12 miles. It is a staggering 126.8-metres or 416 feet tall and carries the Jordanian flag that is 60-by-30-metres or 200-by-100 feet. Built from steel, it is designed to withstand bad weather and earthquakes. The flagpole is also illuminated, which makes it visible during the night as well. Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
For our next stop, we made our way down the hill to see the Roman theater. It was built in the second century under the reign of Antonius Pius when Amman was chosen as the capital of the Roman Empire and called Philadelphia. The large structure has seats for 6,000 people and serves as a symbol of the city’s rich history situated in the midst of the modern streets of Jordan. Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
While the view from the top of theater is great, the stairs are quite steep — so if you ever have the chance to stop by, be careful on your way back down! Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
Fun fact: There are over two million cars in Jordan, and around one million are in Amman alone. The rush hour here starts at about 8:30 a.m. and lasts until 10 a.m. then there is another one from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., so perhaps it is more accurate to call it a rush afternoon!! The streets are always bustling with life as people are making their way around the city. It is a great scene to see but it is also helpful to be mindful of this when making plans. Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
And that was our first city tour! I am excited to discover more of Amman and try my best to relay the beauty of this wonderful country! Photo credit: Aydın, 2020
