Photo: Raad Adayleh
Symbolically and spiritually, the Jordan River in the Middle East is of mighty significance to many as where the Bible says Jesus got baptized. Physically, the Lower Jordan River of today is a lot more meager than mighty.
Source: Jordan River, Jesus’ baptism site, is today barely a trickle
Photo: TripAdvisor
Photo: Shutterstock
Regarded for many years as “an oasis of stability” in a turbulent region, Jordan has delighted visitors for centuries, lured by magnificent natural wonders, a welcoming population, and some of the most celebrated ancient monuments on the planet, many of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Additionally, the country’s top vacation credentials extend to many superb nature reserves, world-class museums, and a number of unique well-being and health tourism destinations. Intrigued? Browse this gallery and discover the wonders of this ancient land.
Source: Enjoy a jaunt through Jordan
Photo: Getty
Escape to the sun this June with these holiday ideas.
Source: Where is hot in June? 12 scorching summer destinations
Photo: InspiRock
Source: 4 days in Oman & Jordan Itinerary in March
Photo: Media Line
Register here. Known as one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, the city of Petra, capital of the Nabataean Arabs has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.
Source: Petra, One of the 7 Wonders – Trail I – The Media Line
Photo: Taylor Luck
In Salt, Jordan, the world’s newest UNESCO World Heritage Site, history and architecture have created a model of interfaith and communal harmony.
Source: At newest World Heritage Site, harmony and hospitality are in the stones
Salt became the sixth Jordanian landmark to be declared a World Heritage Site, succeeding Petra, Wadi Rum, Qasir Amra, Umm Al-Rasas, and Bap
Source: Salt became the sixth Jordanian landmark to be declared a World Heritage Site
Photo: KAWA
The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is growing every year with new magical places all over the world. The Arab world is once again not left behind, since a village in Jordan has obtained its precious sesame for this very closed club. The list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites is growing every year with new magical places all over the world. The Arab world is once again not left behind, since a village in Jordan has obtained its precious sesame for this very closed club.
Photo: Daniel Case/Wikimedia
From Yemen’s 16th century ‘Manhattan of the desert’ to the Nabataean ruins of north-western Saudi Arabia, Middle East Eye takes a look at some of the region’s lesser known marvels…
Source: Eight Middle East heritage sites you should know about
An international advisory board has been formed to oversee the Baptism Site Development Zone, in line with His Majesty King Abdullah’s commitment to safeguarding the site as a global tourism and pilgrimage destination.The Baptism Site of Jesus Christ in Jordan, also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, holds great significance for all Abrahamic faiths, and is one of the most sacred places on earth for all Christians, since it is where Jesus Christ was baptised by John the Baptist, and where Christianity began, according to a statement made available to The Jordan Times.
Source: Upon Royal directives, international advisory board formed to oversee Baptism Site Development Zone
While UNESCO and the Vatican agree the site is in Jordan, a spot across the Jordan River, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, draws more visitors.
Source: Where Jesus Was Baptized, Jordan Vies With Israel For Tourists
Traverse the other-worldly scenery of Jordan’s Wadi Rum. The unparalleled desert, which has provided the backdrop to movies like The Martian and Star Wars, offers travelers the opportunity to hike, camp, and take in a landscape not unlike Mars. For a true outer space experience, visitors can stay overnight for a guide-led star-gazing adventure.
Source: Exploring Mars Without Ever Leaving Earth’s Orbit in Wadi Rum, Jordan
A project to safeguard ancient inscriptions and drawings in a desert valley is helping local Bedouins to draw connections to the past.
Source: In Jordan’s desert, ancient rock art finds modern defenders
Melinda Healy was left in awe after a guide surprised tourists with a unique spiritual experience…
Source: How the sound of one man’s call to prayer in Petra is educating tourists from around the world
The desert castle Qasr Amra (or Qusayr Amra), located 25 kilometres west of Azraq, is one of the most important monuments in Jordan and in the whole world, said an Italian architect.“It bears the only preserved large wall-painting cycle dating back to the Umayyad period [first half of the 8th century AD],” noted Giorgio Sobrà who is in charge of the restoration of the castle.
Source: Italian architect seeks to unravel ‘mystery’ of Qasr Amra
Umm Al Rassas is a UNESCO World Heritage site, located about 75 kilometres south of Amman, famous for its 16 Byzantine churches. In the late third century AD, the place was known under the name Kastron Mefaa, being the military camp of a cavalry unit, which protected the neighbouring villages from bedouin raids. Due to population growth in the fifth and sixth centuries, the place became the civilian, double-walled town of Mefaa.
Source: Project digs into ancient agricultural practices in Umm Al Rassas
The Al-Hijr site in Saudi Arabia As an ancient city carved out of sandstone, Al-Hijr extends over an area of 15 km² in northwest Saudi Arabia. This is a magnificent site, left as a legacy by the Nabataean civilization, with a multitude of tombs, wells and monuments richly decorated. As you walk through them, you …
Source: Middle East: an overview of UNESCO World Heritage Sites – KAWA
The Ultimate first-timer’s travel guide to Petra, Jordan.
Source: A Guide to Petra: One of New Seven Wonders of the World – Out of Town Blog
Glimpsing the Treasury building at the end of mile-long hike down a narrow slot canyon — bright in the sun against the shadow of the cliff walls — has something of the quality of a mirage.
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Aizudin Zainal
IU7. UNL.
All About World Heritage Sites 