Nestled in the heart of Amman, the historic Amman Citadel or Jabal Al-Qala’a proudly stands, serving as a crucial link connecting the ancient roots and modern allure of the city. Drawing in an impressive 250,000 visitors over the past seven months of the current year, this historic landmark offers a captivating tourist experience blending cultural heritage with awe-inspiring panoramic vistas. During a review of the historical epochs that have shaped the site, Fadi Balawi, Director-General of the Department of Antiquities(DoF), revealed to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) that the Amman Citadel, an integral part of the “Seven Hills of Amman,” emerged as a prominent seat of power and administration during the Iron Age. The Ammonites, designating it as their capital, bestowed upon it the name “Rabbath Ammon.” He emphasized the site’s past military and strategic significance. Expanding on the historical accounts, Balawi added, “Under the rule of the Ptolemaic governor Ptolemy Philadelphus, the ancient city of Rabbath Ammon underwent reconstruction and was renamed Philadelphia, which translates to ‘the city of brotherly love.’ During the Roman era, Philadelphia flourished and grew, becoming one of the prominent cities within the Decapolis alliance. Notable public structures such as streets, theaters, squares, baths, markets, and temples were erected.” Balawi went on to say, “Amman received significant attention from the Umayyads, who built a mosque and a palace that held both official and political significance. The city served as a governmental center, housing the governor’s residence or emirate house, and featured a military fortress. Additionally, a mint was established for currency production.” Pointing out the noteworthy archaeological landmarks and sites situated within the Amman Citadel, he indicated the Temple of Hercules, which stands as one of the most important and well-preserved Roman building in Philadelphia. Its construction, dating back to the 2nd century AD, specifically 161-166 AD, is renowned for its towering columns that can be seen from the city center and the surrounding mountains of Amman. Additionally, three churches are found on the Jabal Al-Qala’a, with the most notable being the Basilica or Byzantine Church, constructed in 550 AD. This church features columns adorned with ornate Corinthian capitals, repurposed from Roman buildings and incorporated into its design. Highlighting the developments during the Umayyad period, Balawi emphasized the creation of extensive structures that embodied the distinctive features of an Islamic city. Among these notable constructions were a mosque, a market, a bathhouse, and a palace, including the distinguished throne room and audience hall. These impressive buildings were erected under the leadership of Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik. Moreover, the area accommodated a multitude of residential units and even housed a mint dedicated to the production of Islamic currency. Adding to the list of archaeological gems within the Amman Citadel, he mentioned several outstanding sites. These include the Colonnaded Street, an ancient thoroughfare that captivates visitors with its historical significance. Moreover, perched at the highest elevation to the south of the Umayyad Palace, one can find a mosque that holds a prominent position on the mountain. Another remarkable attraction is the Archaeological Museum, which proudly stands as Jordan’s first museum, established in 1951. Inside its walls, visitors can explore an impressive collection of artifacts unearthed from various archaeological locations across the country. Lastly, the presence of a significant water reservoir named “Al-Burkha” adds to the rich historical tapestry of the area. Regarding the ongoing efforts in the for the revitalization and enhancement of the Amman Citadel, the official indicated that the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, along with the DoA, are currently engaged in a project aimed at completing the rehabilitation of the southern slope, restoring and safeguarding the mosaic floors at the site, and conducting maintenance work on the historic walls of the Umayyad Mosque. Balawi also stressed the significance of the rehabilitation project for the southern slope of the citadel hill, considering it a major undertaking by the Department of Antiquities and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, in collaboration with the Greater Amman Municipality and the American Center for Oriental Research. He elaborated that this particular undertaking holds significant importance as it is one of the flagship projects led by the Ministry and Department. It is being accomplished in partnership with the Greater Amman Municipality and the American Center of Oriental Research. As part of the project, Balawi said that significant efforts will be dedicated to establishing a new tourist pathway that connects the Jabal Al-Qala’a with the downtown area. This will involve comprehensive rehabilitation and development of the region, reconnecting the upper city with the lower city, and revitalizing the staircases that link Citadel Mountain to the downtown area. The aim is to create a seamless connection through the southern slope and the southern gate of the Amman Citadel, offering visitors an enhanced experience. He expressed that the project’s primary objective is to achieve a significant transformation, turning the area into a captivating tourist attraction that fosters vibrant commercial activity. Furthermore, it aims to create a lively environment that aligns with the historical and cultural significance of downtown Amman, which served as the birthplace of residential neighborhoods and the nucleus of the city in the early 20th century. Additionally, the project seeks to elevate the role and status of the archaeological site of Jabal Al-Qala’a as a prominent tourist destination. This will be accomplished by establishing a comprehensive and integrated service system that caters to all the needs and requirements of tourists. Balawi added that the Ministry and the Department are striving, through this project, to transform the site into a dynamic destination for domestic tourism while involving the local community and offering them economic opportunities. Detailing the project’s timeline, he specified that it was initiated in March 2021 and has been progressing through various stages of implementation. The initial phase primarily concentrated on the clearance of the site from dilapidated structures, with the rubble being manually removed. Following this essential step, the project shifted its focus towards safeguarding, restoring, and reinforcing the historic walls, as well as the walls of heritage buildings and rooms. Furthermore, Balawi mentioned that the second phase of the project encompassed the construction of a tourist pathway. This pathway includes the installation of stairs, corridors, lighting fixtures, and various safety measures to facilitate convenient access to and from the site. These additions aim to enhance the overall visitor experience and ensure public safety in navigating the area. He emphasized that the executed works primarily focused on the protection and restoration of archaeological and heritage monuments, rather than renovation. The utmost importance was given to preserving the originality of the archaeological site and minimizing any intervention that could compromise its authenticity. The undertaken efforts solely aimed at ensuring the safety and safeguarding of the archaeological landmark, with minimal alterations made. In the context of rehabilitating the tourist path, Balawi underscored that a set of foundations and guidelines were adhered to in order to safeguard the cultural heritage value of the site. This was achieved by employing environmentally friendly materials that had no adverse impact on the remaining heritage structures. Considerations were given to key aspects such as infrastructure, rainwater drainage, the long-term sustainability of the site, and the feasibility of conducting future maintenance work as required. Furthermore, careful attention was paid to the overall landscape and the elimination of any visual distortions in the surrounding area. Drawing attention to the project works, he specified that apart from the construction of pathways, staircases, lighting installations, and public safety measures, restoration efforts were carried out on the Roman stone stairs. Moreover, the towers situated on both sides of the gate underwent restoration and maintenance. Additionally, numerous heritage walls and rooms were restored to ensure the preservation of their cultural significance.
Source: Jordan News Agency