Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Darat al-Funun
(House of Arts;
Offline map
Google map
; 4643251;
www.daratalfunun.org
; 13 Nadim al Mallah St; 10am-7pm Sat-Thu)
On the hillside to
the north of the downtown area, this cultural haven is dedicated to contemporary art. The
main building features a small
art gallery
with works by Jordanian and other Arab artists,
an art library, and workshops for Jordanian and visiting sculptors and painters. A schedule
of upcoming exhibitions, lectures, films and public discussion forums is available on the
website and in the
Jordan Times
newspaper.
Almost as significant as the centre's artistic endeavours are the architectural features of
the site. At the base of the complex, near the entrance, are the excavated ruins of a 6th-
century
Byzantine church
. Buildings further up the hill are mostly restored residences
from the 1920s - it was in one of these that TE Lawrence wrote part of
Seven Pillars of
Wisdom
. There is also a peaceful cafe (
Click here
)
and gardens with views over Amman.
Access is easiest on foot. From near the southern end of King Hussein St, head up the
stairs under the 'Riviera Hotel' sign. At the top of the stairs, turn immediately right onto
Nimer bin Adwan St and walk uphill for 50m where you need to take the left fork. The
entrance gate (no English sign) is on the right after a few metres.
GALLERY
JEBEL AMMAN & AROUND
King Abdullah Mosque
( 5672155, ext 219; Suleiman al-Nabulsi St, Jebel Weibdeh; admission incl museum
JD2; 8-11am & 12.30-2pm Sat-Thu)
Completed in 1989 as a memorial by the late
King Hussein to his grandfather, this blue-domed landmark can house up to 7000 wor-
shippers, with a further 3000 in the courtyard. There is also a small women's section for
500 worshippers, and a much smaller royal enclosure.
The cavernous, octagonal prayer hall is capped by a magnificent blue dome 35m in dia-
meter, decorated with Quranic inscriptions. The blue represents the sky while the golden
lines depict rays of light illuminating the 99 names of Allah.
The
Islamic Museum
inside the mosque houses a small collection of photographs and
personal effects of King Abdullah I. Shards of ancient pottery are also on display together
with coins and stone engravings.
This is the only mosque in Amman that openly welcomes non-Muslim visitors. A Fri-
day visit may be possible if you avoid prayer time but call ahead to be sure. Women are
required to cover their hair - headscarves are available at the entrance to the mosque to-
MOSQUE
