Jabal Al Qala'a ( The Castle Mountain )

Rabbah, Jordan

About

The Citadel National Historic Site, known locally as Jabal al Qala'a, is one of Amman's oldest known sites. Perched on top of the city's highest hill, it is recognized for its historical importance and its special place in the hearts of Amman residents. Archaeological excavations reveal that this summit has been used as a settlement and a fortress for millennia, dating back 7000 years according to some estimates. That is around the time of the rise of civilization in the Nile Valley. Empires have come and gone, and the Citadel still stands. Some civilizations settled at the site for ages, such as the Romans and their Byzantine heirs who arrived in 63 BC and remained there until they were removed by the Arabs more than seven centuries later. Others, like the Ummayads, lasted less than a century. The Citadel is an astounding open-air museum where visitors can walk through time and see the relics of numerous civilizations. The site is associated with iconic deities and referenced in the Bible; it witnessed bloody wars and earthquakes, and was ruled by famous leaders.

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