Amman Citadel

Amman Citadel

Hours of Citadel

Oct-Mar: Sat-Thu 8am - 4pm

Apr-Sep: Sat-Thu 8am - 7pm

Fri 10am - 4pm

 

Description of the Citadel of Amman

Amman Citadel

The Citadel of Amman is a massive archeological complex situated on the hill overlooking the city below. It is the main witness to the turbulent history of Amman. Some of the first human settlements on Amman Citadel date back to the Neolithic period. Over the next centuries it saw construction of ancient Roman pagan temples, Byzantine Christian churches, Umayyad palaces and others. Most of items discovered on the Amman Citadel are stored today in the Jordan Archaeological Museum today. First people settled here during Neolithic period. During the Middle Bronze Age (1650- 1550 BC) Amman Citadel became an important trade site of the Fertile Crescent. Archeologists discovered artifacts from Egyptian, Phoenician, Greek, Assyrian and other lands. Amman began to increased significantly during rule of the Persian Empire. After conquest by king Alexander the Great Amman was reconstructed in a distinct Hellenistic architectural style. Some of the most significant buildings that were constructed at the time included Temple of Hercules. Amman Citadel say new stage in its renovation after 661 AD when Arab Muslim took over a region. Toward the end of the Medieval period Amman Citadel became largely abandoned. Most of Amman residents moved from the Citadel. Some of the bricks were later reused to built houses in the newer part of Amman.