Jesús D
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Umayyad Market Square
The Umayyad market square is part of the Umayyad Palatine City in Amman. It dates to about 730 AD and it was designed to separate the monumental gateway to the Umayyad Palace from the congregational mosque.
There are rows of shops flanking the open square area, which had a cistern at its center. Three shops at the northeast corner nearest the baths were later converted during the Medieval Fatimid period into a mosque. You can still notice the mihrab inside.
Also, inscribed on the steps to the congregational mosque you can still partially read the only Arabic inscription found in-situ on the Citadel.
There are rows of shops flanking the open square area, which had a cistern at its center. Three shops at the northeast corner nearest the baths were later converted during the Medieval Fatimid period into a mosque. You can still notice the mihrab inside.
Also, inscribed on the steps to the congregational mosque you can still partially read the only Arabic inscription found in-situ on the Citadel.
West Umayyad Gate
The Western Gate part of the Amman Citadel National Historic Site. It dates to the Umayyad restructuring of the upper terrace of the Citadel to accommodate their ruling elite.
Two towers flank the entrance. The southern is Umayyad period built. The northern tower dates from the Roman period and is much better preserved. The threshold of the gate's entrance, made of shiny white stone, is perfectly distinguishable. From here a street led eastwards in a straight line towards the Monumental Gateway.
There is a deep trench few meters east of the threshold with a couple of walls in asymmetry with the structures above. They represent older level remains.
Around the Western Gate area, there are many architectural remains with engraved carvings. Most of them are Umayyad, but some are Byzantine and Roman as well.
The views over the ancient walls towards the modern city center and its skyscrapers are quite nice.
Two towers flank the entrance. The southern is Umayyad period built. The northern tower dates from the Roman period and is much better preserved. The threshold of the gate's entrance, made of shiny white stone, is perfectly distinguishable. From here a street led eastwards in a straight line towards the Monumental Gateway.
There is a deep trench few meters east of the threshold with a couple of walls in asymmetry with the structures above. They represent older level remains.
Around the Western Gate area, there are many architectural remains with engraved carvings. Most of them are Umayyad, but some are Byzantine and Roman as well.
The views over the ancient walls towards the modern city center and its skyscrapers are quite nice.
Umayyad Tower
These are the humble remains of a tower that was part of the defensive perimeter system during the Umayyad period. The tower collapsed during the earthquake of 749 AD and the ruins were later incorporated into a house of the Abbasid-Fatimid period. The lower courses of the original Umayyad tower remain in place. However, the upper course which is not in alignment with the rest is all that is left of the later medieval house.
From this point you can take the path north for an off the beaten track walk alongside the exterior face of the fortification walls.
From this point you can take the path north for an off the beaten track walk alongside the exterior face of the fortification walls.
Umayyad House
The British expedition excavated this house in the 70's. Their work unearthed the northern half of an Umayyad house which was buried (and thus preserving its contents) under the collapse brought about by the cataclysmic 749 AD earthquake. A good number of Umayyad domestic pottery vessels were recovered and are currently exhibited in the Islamic gallery of the adjacent Jordan Archaeological Museum.
The most striking finding was that of a human skeleton found lying on the short access corridor leading to the open courtyard from one of the rooms. The unfortunate victim was trying to escape the cataclysm when falling masonry blocks struck him.
The most striking finding was that of a human skeleton found lying on the short access corridor leading to the open courtyard from one of the rooms. The unfortunate victim was trying to escape the cataclysm when falling masonry blocks struck him.
New Roman Archeological find
The Roman baths in downtown Amman were discovered and excavated during the winter of 2020-2021 after which they were reburied for their protection until future conservation measures could be undertaken for its public presentation.
As of today, the street with its traffic runs straight above them.
The one star is only because there's actually nothing to see there currently. Nevertheless, the discovery of ancient baths in the heart of Amman was a major archaeological find. Even some Roman style stone statues were found in them.
As of today, the street with its traffic runs straight above them.
The one star is only because there's actually nothing to see there currently. Nevertheless, the discovery of ancient baths in the heart of Amman was a major archaeological find. Even some Roman style stone statues were found in them.