Amman offers a wide range of cultural experiences: the Citadel combines a long history of settlement with an archaeological museum; the Roman Theater is still used for performances, while Rainbow Street and Darat al Funun appeal to different interests. When choosing what to visit, it helps to distinguish between archaeological history, folklore, contemporary art, and an area with cafés and galleries. The following places offer several perspectives on Amman.
The Citadel and Theater: History at Specific Sites
The Amman Citadel, also known as Jabal al-Qal’a, has been inhabited since the Bronze Age. Settlement continued through the Iron Age, Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, as well as the Umayyad, Abbasid, Ayyubid, Mamluk, and Ottoman periods. The site’s historical associations therefore span numerous eras rather than being limited to a single period.
The Jordan Archaeological Museum was built on the Citadel in 1951 to display artifacts from excavations at archaeological sites throughout Jordan. Its collection therefore takes a nationwide perspective, while the Citadel’s own history is shaped by its long period of habitation. These two subjects offer different ways to explore the past: archaeological finds from Jordan and the successive eras of a specific site.
The restored Roman Theater in Amman is built into three sides of a hill and seats about 6,000 people. It is still used for performances. If you would like to include a show in your plans, check the specific dates.
Museums, Art, and City Life
The Folklore Museum of Costume and Fashion opened in 1971 in the eastern part of the Roman Theater. It was established to collect and preserve Jordanian and Palestinian folklore from all parts of Jordan for future generations. Folklore is therefore the focus here, alongside the archaeological artifacts at the Jordan Archaeological Museum. The Children’s Museum is a nonprofit educational institution founded by Queen Rania Al Abdallah in 2007; it adds an educational dimension to these themes.
Darat al Funun hosts contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events; the complex also includes a library and gardens. The site also attracts people interested in traditional Amman architecture and offers a view of downtown. Here, contemporary art and an interest in traditional architecture come together. Individual events may vary. If the program is a deciding factor for your visit, check the dates in advance.
The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts complex consists of four buildings surrounding a sculpture park. The listed features include a children’s playground, an open-air stage, a Japanese garden, an Andalusian fountain, a café, and a bakery. The park thus combines art with a variety of outdoor spaces; the café and bakery add to the list of facilities. Individual facilities may change, so check the latest information in advance if a particular amenity is important to you.
Rainbow Street offers a different focus. It is one of Amman’s oldest streets and a meeting place for local and international visitors. There are cafés, restaurants, and some art galleries along the street; visitors come to shop, spend an evening, or have a meal. While museums and historic sites offer specific collections and historical themes, Rainbow Street brings together dining and galleries. Individual businesses may also change here; check the latest information if you have a particular destination in mind.
A Regional Perspective on Amman
The wider Amman destination also includes another historical site: Um er-Rasas. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004. The Church of Saint Stephen in Um er-Rasas contains a well-preserved mosaic dating from 785; it is considered the largest mosaic in Jordan. This regional connection expands the picture of Amman with a specific example of archaeological heritage. It differs from the city’s cultural sites, which are explored primarily through their museums, architecture, art, and street life.
For the broader trip overview: Amman.
