by Rose Najilli

Created on: June 15, 2007

Most travelers when first entering Jordan will likely find Amman to be their first introduction to the Middle Eastern country. Amman is a rich mix of new and old, with modern conveniences like air conditioned shopping malls and movie theaters mixed with the dusty suq - or marketplace - sprawling over the heart of the downtown core.

For those travelers interested in history, one can easily get a strong dose of it exploring the ruins of Amman's citadel. Atop the hill, the first set of ruins that come into view is the Temple of Heracles. Once a huge building, only a pair of pillars still stand. Their intricately carved stone capitals stand out in striking comparison to the bright blue sky, with immense stone blocks weighing over 2000 pounds littering the ground below.

Beside the temple lies a large complex leading up to an Ummayid period mosque. The basic structure has been revitalized with a newly constructed domed ceiling. Once inside, carved details are fun to search for and make for beautiful photographs using the slits of light poking through the small windows at the very top of the walls. However, most tourists will notice that the best thing about the Ummayid mosque is the cold air blowing through the open doors providing a nice spot of rest from the sometimes overwhelming dry heat of the Middle East.

Lying back along the main path and just off side of the complex of ruins leading the mosque is an archaeological museum. The museum showcases all sorts of artifacts recovered from various sites around Jordan. Perhaps most incredibly is a selection of documents belonging to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Unfortunately, the museum does not allow photography, but the artifacts are so astounding that they should easily be held in one's memory.

Stepping back out onto the citadel, the incredible views of a completely different culture are awe-inspiring. Houses are tightly packed and stacked to leave the natural ground completely covered. Just below the hill, one can also see the Roman era amphitheater, nestled snugly into a park alongside a busy Amman road.

For those who venture over to the amphitheater, a nice bit of exercise awaits. Tourists can climb the well-worn stone steps of the amphitheater to get not only a great view of the entire site, but also to hear its amazing acoustics. The Romans were ingenious when they engineered these sites and the acoustics are definitely evidence of that. Someone standing at the centre platform can easily be heard when speaking in a normal

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