The most beautiful religious buildings Amman

Built under Emperor Marc Aurèle'reign between 161 and 179, perhaps at the location of a ammonite temple, it is the oldest monument of the very powerful Philadelphia. The Romans worship their half god, Hercules, for which they had erected a gigantic statue. Some fragments of the latter were found.

But there is not much left of the temple, if it is the big columns, visible from afar, and the lintel. A little to the east, you can see the remains of Roman fortifications.

It took 7 years to complete the construction of this mosque, the largest in the country. Built between 1982 and 1989 in honor of King Hussein's grandfather, His Majesty as-Sayyid Abdullah I, the first king of Jordan, this mosque is the most modern and most imposing in the country. Its gigantic blue dome lined with mosaics with geometric patterns dominates the city. Under the 35 meters diameter of the dome, the prayer hall can accommodate 3,000 worshippers. On busy days, such as Friday prayers during Ramadan, an additional 6,000 worshippers can take over the outer courtyard. Inside, the ceiling of the azure dome is streaked with thin golden bands like a sun, the blue symbolizing the sky, and the lines the 99 names of Allah. Verses from the Koran are inscribed on a huge three-branched candlestick. The red carpet symbolizes fertility; it leads to the "mihrab", the niche that indicates the direction of Mecca, to which all faithful must turn for prayer. In the basement there is a small Islamic museum with personal effects of King Abdullah I, photos and some Islamic art.

Non-Muslims can visit the mosque outside of prayer hours. Women are required to wear an outfit that covers arms, legs and head. A black hooded robe is provided at the entrance for this purpose. Men must wear pants (no shorts). Please remember to remove your shoes before entering the prayer hall.

To the north of the temple of Hercules, by heading towards the top terrace, you can reach the ruins of a Byzantine church of relatively modest dimensions. She date the th century and was built with the stones of the temple of Hercules.

A series of mosaics was updated. Excavations are ongoing and we think that the Byzantine city stretches across the hill. Approximately metres away is a large round tank omeyyade and the remains of a olive press.

Amman's historic Grand Mosque watches over the old "Downtown" quarter. The lower town spreads out around it and its two high minarets. It was built in 1932 by King Abdullah ^I in Ottoman style, on the foundations of an ancient mosque dating back to 640. The latter is said to have been built on the site of the former Philadelphia Cathedral. It has been under renovation since 2021, and no one knows when the work will be completed.

Located on the top of a hill (Jebel Al-Ashrafiyeh), south of the lower town, it is easily identifiable thanks to the alternating white and black bands on its walls. It was built in 1961 by the circassian community. Non-Muslims are generally not allowed to enter.

Not far away is the St-Sauveur Church. You have to climb hard to reach the top of this hill. From the lower town, on Italian Street, you can take taxis-service No 25 or 26.