View on South Roman Theatre in the center of Amman, Jordan. Photo: Adobe Stock
11 Historic Sites in Jordan Besides Petra
After you've visited the country's most famous attraction, check out these memorable destinations.
- Roman Theatre, Amman. Built around A.D. 140 in the city now known as Amman, the 6,000-seat theatre is one of the world’s best surviving examples of classic Roman amphitheater architecture.
- Jerash. Continuously occupied for more than 6,500 years, it is considered one of the best examples of ancient Roman provincial town planning.
- Umm Qais. High above the Sea of Galilee, Umm Qais has existed since the Hellenistic period and is best known for its Roman ruins.
- Ajloun Castle. Constructed in 1184 by Muslim Izz ad-Din Usama bin Munqidh as a defense against the Crusaders, it commands an excellent vantage point above the town of Ajloun.
- Baptism Site of Jesus. Some Christians believe the site to be where John the Baptist baptized Jesus, turning the Jordan River into holy water.
- The Citadel. Located in the center of Amman, the Citadel shows archaeological evidence of use by several fallen powers, including the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad empires.
- Qasr Amra. The 8th-century Jordanian desert castle, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, features murals containing mythological, historical, and philosophical images.
- Kerak Castle. A maze of corridors and chambers on seven levels highlights this impressive 12th-century Crusader-era fortification.
- Church of St. George, Madaba. This Byzantine church holds the famous Madaba Map of the Middle East, a floor mosaic dating back to the 6th century, the oldest known geographic floor mosaic.
- Little Petra. Located away from the city deep within the canyon landscape and often missed by visitors, Little Petra is where you’ll find a remnant of Nabataean trade and living quarters.
- Mount Nebo. This is where the Biblical Moses was to see the Promised Land for the first time.