Petra is perhaps one of the most renowned ruins in the world. But Jordanite ruin sites extends far beyond this oft-photographed site. Here are the top five sites to visit if traveling to Jordan…
1). Petra
Of course, Petra tops the list. The “Rose City” built by ancient Nabataeans has become a symbol of Jordan. Plan to spend hours here winding your way through narrow red gorges, admire the Treasury (Al-Khazneh), explore the numerous rock-cut tombs, and hike all the way out to the Monastery (Al-Deir.)
2). Desert Castles – Qasr Amra and Qasr al-Azraq
At Qasr Amra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, breathtaking frescoes depict an array of hunting scenes, animals, plants, zodiac figures, and constellations. Qasr al-Azraq has a history stretching back into antiquity, though its current appearance is largely due to 13th-century construction in black basalt. This fortress boasts incredible doors made from large blocks of stone and is also famous for having housed T.E. Lawrence, the author of Lawrence of Arabia.
3). Little Petra
Also built by the Nabataeans, likely around the 1st century CE, Little Petra features even more rock-cut buildings, impressively hewn and carved out of cliffs and mountainsides. A highlight of Petra is The Painted House, a small room with a well-preserved ceiling fresco that depicts birds and twisting grapevines.
4). Jerash
Jerash evidences settlements from the Neolithic (7500-5500 BCE) and Bronze Ages (3200-1200 BCE) as well as the city’s role in the Hellenistic world (323-31 BCE). From 63 BC onward, Jerash and its surroundings belonged to Rome and the settlement received a visit from Emperor Hadrian, which occasioned the construction of a triumphal arch to celebrate his visit to the city. This arch remains standing today. The ruins are sprawling and expansive.
5). Gadara (Umm Qais)
The ruins at Umm Qais attract fewer crowds than Jerash, which allows a leisurely exploration. Colonnaded streets, temples, baths, a theater, and a hippodrome area easily strolled through. Gadara’s dramatic setting offers panoramic views over the ruins and their vast surroundings. Visitors can see the Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, and at times into Lebanon.
