Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Exploring Amman
motorcycles from his own
personal collection. These
range from a 1916 Cadillac
to an array of more modern
Lotus, Ferrari and Porsche
sporting models, all driven
by the King. Also on display
is the Mercedes-Benz jeep
that carried the casket in the
funeral procession of King
Hussein in 1999.
Although the majority of Amman's places of interest
are concentrated in the neighbouring Downtown
and Jebel el-Qalaa districts, it is well worth exploring
further afield. Just west of the centre, Jebel Amman
is the city's main hill, and is home to the Wild Jordan
Centre and the landmark King Abdullah Mosque. West
again, the upscale districts of Abdoun and, stretching
to the north, Shmeisani boast the majority of Amman's
shops and restaurants. The city is quite spread out, so
taxi is the best way to get around.
Wild Jordan Centre
Othman bin Aafarn Street, Jebel
Amman.
Tel
(06) 463 3589.
l
www
.rscn.org.jo
Jordan's innovative Royal
Society for the Conservation
of Nature (RSCN) runs this
cutting-edge centre, which
focuses on Jordan's natural
heritage. The Wild Nature
shop stocks products made
in ecotourism initiatives
throughout Jordan, including
organic soaps and worked
silver from Dana, Bedouin-
made candles from the Dead
Sea and hand-painted ostrich
eggs from the Eastern Desert.
The excellent café is one of
the best places in town for a
healthy lunch, and the terrace,
in particular, affords fantastic
views over Downtown.
This is also the place for
information on ecotourism
excursions to Jordan's many
national parks; possibilities
include hiking and canyoning
in Wadi Mujib
(see p197)
, and
the chance to see Arabian
oryx in the wild at the
Shaumari Nature Reserve.
The hilly landscape of the modern city of Amman
Darat el-Funun
Nimer bin Adwan Street, Jebel el-
Webdeh.
Tel
(06) 464 3251.
#
10am-7pm Sat-Wed, 10am-8pm
Thu.
www
.daratalfunun.org
.
This art gallery, pleasant café
and small garden dotted with
archaeological remains, offer
a tranquil escape from the
nearby Downtown bustle.
The rotating exhibits of
contemporary art, regular
lectures and occasional music
concerts make this the best
place to tap into Amman's
thriving arts scene. The main
gallery is housed in a 1920s
villa, next to the charming
remains of a 6th-century
Byzantine church, itself built
on the site of a Roman
temple. Above the church
is the house in which
TE Lawrence is said to have
written sections of
The Seven
Pillars of Wisdom
.
completed in 1990 and
dedicated by King Hussein to
his grandfather. The soaring
central blue dome covers the
largest religious space in the
city - the prayer hall can hold
up to 7,000 worshippers. The
cavernous, octagonal interior
is decorated with fine Quranic
calligraphy and several huge
chandeliers. Remove
your shoes when you
enter the mosque.
Women should wear a
headscarf (provided).
The attached small
Islamic museum
contains
coins and examples of
Islamic decorative arts.
Royal Automobile
Museum
King Hussein Park.
Tel
(06)
541 1392.
#
10am-7pm
Wed, Thu, Sat-Mon,
10am-9pm Fri.
&
www
.royalautomuseum.jo
The former King
Hussein was passionate
about automobiles. This
museum, 5 km (3 miles)
northwest of the city
centre, exhibits around
70 classic cars and
…
King Abdullah Mosque
Suleyman el-Nabulsi Street, Jebel el-
Webdeh.
#
8am-11am & 12:30-
2pm Sat-Thu, 9am-10am Fri.
&
Amman's most impressive
Islamic monument is the King
(El-Malek) Abdullah Mosque,
The distinctive blue dome that caps the
striking King Abdullah Mosque
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp262-3 and pp279-80
