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| INVITATION FROM THE DESERT
The desert of Jordan has great
pleasure in inviting you to the adventure of a lifetime! For those searching for inner peace .......... For those searching for answers .......... For those seeking contact with themselves .......... For those tired of daily life ......... For those looking for an unforgettable experience .......... For those wanting to stop time for a while .......... For those wanting a calm mind ........... For those wanting to meditate ............ For those wanting to do crazy things ............ Welcome ! to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. For over 10,000 years people have travelled to Jordan. People come to see the natural beauty and experience the great Welcome ! that greets every visitor and to enjoy its rich historical and cultural heritage. Jordan is a small country – less then 100,000 square metres - but its traditions are some of the greatest in the world. Since time immemorial this country, lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Peninsular, has been the crossroads for migrating people and invading armies. From Early Stone Age to the Islamic era, Jordan teems with mementos of other races, other times. Ten thousand or more years ago, the Jordan Valley was the site of one of the first organized communities; a place where man, the hunter, settled down to cultivate the land. This part of the world, since the beginning of human civilization, has had a history of enormous significance. Ammonites. Moabites and Edomites, Canaanites, Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, and many others have competed to control it at various times. Welcome ! to Jordan for the adventure of a lifetime! Places to visit in JordanAl-Maghtas Amman The Dead Sea Jerash Umm Qais More Places... Al-Maghtas: – The Baptism Site --- The Site for 2,000 T he Baptism site has recently been identified on the south bank of Wadi Kharrar, just east of theJordan River, opposite Jericho. It is believed that Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness east of the Jordan River after his baptism, and several times spread his message throughout Transjordan during his last journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. It is known that John the Baptist baptised followers near the Jordan River. He also preached against sin. Specifically, John told King Herod that he had sinned by marrying his brother’s wife Herodias. She was furious with John and wanted him killed. However, King Herod had him arrested and locked up in the fortress of Mukawir where he later died.
A dried pillar of salt nearby is supposedly the remains of Lot’s wife, who disobeyed God’s warning not to look back as she fled Sodom. The sunset touching distant hills with ribbons of fire across the waters of the Dead Sea brings a sense of unreality to end a day’s visit to the lowest point on earth.
Jerash:
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Amman, built on the site of the
Graeco-Roman city of Philadelphia, is the ancient and modern capital of Jordan.
Originally, like Rome, it was built on seven hills or Jebels, each of which more or less
defines a neighbourhood. Many Jebels once had a traffic circle (roundabout) at their peak;
now almost all of the circles have been replaced by traffic lights. However, the junctions
are still known as First Circle, Second Circle, etc. and Amman now covers at least
nineteen hills. Places of interest – the Citadel, the ruins of the Temple of Hercules,
the Roman Theatre, the Nymphium, the Archaeological Museum, King Abdullah Mosque, the
downtown market and the gold souq.
The Dead Sea is surrounded by mountains and valleys walked by ancient
prophets and imperial armies throughout the ages. At 400 metres below sea level, the sea
is devoid of life due to the extremely high content of salts and minerals. It is these
natural elements which give the waters their curative powers, recognized since the days of
Herod the Great more than 2,000 years ago. Step into the warm, soothing water and try as
you may, it is impossible to sink in the thick brine which is five to ten times as salty
as regular sea water. One can, however, recline on the water and read a newspaper! The
high atmospheric pressure and oxygen rich air make this the most relaxing and healthy
place in the world.
Jerash, the Decapolis city of Gerasa, is one of the best preserved and
most complete Graeco-Roman cities in existence. It is known as the Pompeii of the East for
its extraordinary state of preservation. You can feel the impact of the Roman
civilisation, architecture and culture on this biblical area. Its engineering was so
advanced that large parts of the city still survive today. You can see the original
temples, theatres, plazas, baths and the famous 600 metres long colonnaded street, all
enclosed within the remaining city walls. Frequent sound and light shows are held during
the summer months.
Another Decapolis City, Gadara, Umm Qais was an ancient city of arts. The
Ottoman governor’s house has been restored and opened as a museum. Tucked away in the
black basalt hillside, 380 metres high, Umm Qais, not as extensively renovated as Jerash,
offers incomparable panoramic views over the northern Jordan valley, the Sea of Galilee
(Lake Tiberius), the Yarmouk Gorge and the Golan Heights. On a clear day, snow topped
Mount Hermon is visible.