| What makes it historical? |
As each conquering nation took control of former Rabbath Ammon, they remade the city in their image, and the Umayyads were no exception. They were the second empire-building Caliphate since the founding of Islam, and between 661 and 750 AD, they conquered the Stans of the east and northern Africa and Spain in the west! Between 724 and 743 AD, Caliph Hisham made the Amman Citadel his government’s administrative center, building a grand palace complex over the earthquake-ravaged Roman buildings.
The audience hall, which now sports a dome on top, was actually built over a Byzantine church, which is why the building is in the shape of a cross! It faced in the direction of Petra, but the neighboring mosque had to face Mecca, which gave them an unusual alignment. This palace had access to a cistern as well, which gave visitors the luxury of bath and toilet water in the desert! The complex stayed in use until 749 when another earthquake struck, destroying most of the buildings, and by the following year, the Abbasids had overthrown the Umayyads and begun a whole new dynasty! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? |
HERE’S HOW:
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!
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