Location: Al Taj, Amman
At the top of one of Amman's seven hills, Jabal al-Ashrafiyeh,
sits the striking Abu Derwish Mosque, built in 1961. The mosque was
erected by order of the late King Hussein of Jordan. This unique
structure is laid out in the tradition of Levantine architecture
from unmistakably alternating layers of black and white stone. The
mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques in Amman and the whole
country.
The structure stands on a high platform; at the main
entrance there is a composition of many turrets. The main building
of the shrine is crowned with an elegant dome. In the south-eastern
corner of the building there is a tall minaret with a narrow spiral
staircase inside. The prayer hall is a luxurious octagonal room
designed for seven thousand Muslims. The rich interior of the mosque
is made of openwork carvings with delicate floral patterns.
In the upper tier of the pavilion there is a small museum displaying
Islamic relics. The Abu Dervish Mosque is located on the square,
which is a favorite vacation spot for locals and tourists. From here
you have a beautiful view of Amman.