Amman
Located in the center of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Amman is both the country’s capital and its biggest and most populated city. Inhabited since the prehistorical period, biblical Amman was the capital of the Ammonites, and later, named Philadelphia, it was a member of the Decapolis.
Amman and the Decapolis
The term Decapolis related to a group of ten cities in the southern Levant that who shared a Greco-Roman cultural affiliation during the Roman period. Some of these cities still exist, and some have become archaeological sites. Six of these cities are today in Jordan (Gerasa, Gadara, Pella, Amman, Capitolias, and Raphana). Two are in Syria (Damascus and Canatha), and two are in Israel (Beit-Shean and Hippos-Sussita).
In the 19th century, Amman’s population was merely 500 residents. Established as Jordan’s capital in 1946, today, Amman’s population is over 4 million.
Touring Amman
Most of Amman’s historical landmarks are in the city center. Its historical citadel bears remains of a Roman-era Temple to Hercules and a palace from the Umayyad period. Other sites of interest are the new Jordan Museum (opened in 2014) and Amman’s Roman-era theater. Car fans will also appreciate visiting the Royal Automobile Museum, based mainly on the King Hussein car collection. Amman is known for its myriad cafes and restaurants, from authentic Makluba and Jordanian coffee to international fusion kitchens with top-notch service.
A tour of Amman can be combined with a multi-day tour of Jordan.
