Jordan Journal | The Citadel and Roman Theater

The final day of our Jordan adventure is the city tour.
Just to recap: we visited Ruins of Jerash on the first day; Jerusalem on the second day (which I haven't posted yet);  third was the Fascinating Petra on the Wadi Musa, and finally, these significant places which is at the heart of the city.

This was an overdue post; the travel was last October 2012... but the joy that this adventure gave are still fresh and the memories will never fade...

So come on... months may passed but I hope the photographs will still bring you a fresh new adventure, in The Amman City Tour...

The first destination on the "squeezy day" as our tour guide calls it, is the AMMAN CITADEL, known in Arabic as Jabal al-Qal'a: 

The Amman Citadel’s history represents significant civilizations that stretched across continents and prospered for centuries, as one empire gave rise to the next. It also symbolizes the birth of the three great monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The Temple of Hercules

The Temple of Hercules

The Temple of Hercules

The Temple of Hercules have been The Temple of Hercules have been constructed under the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who reigned from 161 to 180 AD

Al Qasr | The Palace

 Its exact function is unclear, but it includes a monumental gateway, an audience hall and four vaulted chambers.

Al Qasr | The Palace - ceiling

Al Qasr | The Palace - chamber entrance

Al Qasr | The Palace - main door

The Umayyad Palace Complex 

These structures represents the key elements of a complete Islamic city; its structural units comprise a mosque, souk, hamman and palace in addition to several residential units, which is visible in the site. 

Ruins of  the Old Umayyad - Fortification Walls 

The Byzantine Church  

 The Byzantine basilica was constructed in the 5th-6th centuries AD

Corinthian columns mark the site of the church.

The Byzantine Church  

Early Bronze Age Cave 

This cave houses a series of rock-cut tombs; these were modified for communal burial during the Middle Bronze Age 4,000 years ago. 

The ancient Citadel, is a good place to begin a tour of the city.

City of Amman - from Citadel

City of Amman - from Citadel

City of Amman - from Citadel

Downhill from the Citadel and five minutes walk east from downtown, the Roman Theater is the most obvious and impressive relic of ancient Philadelphia.    The Columns - Roman Theater  The Columns - Roman Theater  The Wall - Roman Theater  The large and steeply raked structure could seat about 6,000 people: built into the hillside, it was oriented north to keep the sun off the spectators. The Roman Theater - Amman, Jordan The Roman Theater - Amman, Jordan  The highest section of seats in a theatre was (and still is) called "The Gods". Although far from the stage, even there the sight lines are excellent, and the actors could be clearly heard, owing to the steepness of the cavea. The Gods - The Roman Theater Columns  - Stage of Roman Theater Exit door - Roman Theater Amman City View from Roman Theater  Souvenirs....

As I mentioned, this is just the start of the "squeezy day". 

Hold on, for there's more... as we visit the Madaba - City of Mosaic and went all the way up to the Mount Nebo and down to the lowest point on earth - Dead Sea. 

More of Amman City tour adventure, on the coming days... promise!!!  

Colored photos on KALI blogs Facebook page: The Citadel | Jordan 2012 + Roman Theatre | Jordan 2012