In one of the most exciting discoveries in recent times, archaeologists in Aqaba have unearthed what they believe to be the world’s oldest church, dating back from the late 3rd century AD.
The newly discovered church is slightly older than the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem, both of which date back to the 4th century. The church is found on a plot of land east of Istiklal Street.
Ayla
The walled city of Ayla was constructed during the early days of the Islamic era. The city presents a rare example of early Islamic urbanization policy. Its layout is marked by axial streets leading to four gates and intersecting in the middle, where a tetrapylon (four interconnection arches) was set up, thus recalling the plan of roman legionary camps. Unearthed in the mid-1980s by an America-Jordanian archaeological team, the remains of Ayla are located along the main water front road, near the hotel district.
Islamic Ayla benefited from the annual pilgrimage to Mecca and continued to prosper until the end of the 12th century when the city suffered from a series of earthquakes, Bedouin raids, and Crusader attacks.
Aqaba Fort (Aqaba/Mamluk Castle)
The Aqaba Fort was rebuilt in 1587 AD under one of the last Mamluk Sultans, and it has been substantially altered several times since then.
Running around the first bay of the passageway is a band of Arabic inscription written in Nakshi character, which gives the name of the Mamluke Sultan, Qansweh Al-Ghuri (1501-1516 AD), who was responsible for building the fort.
By the beginning of the 16th century both Aqaba and the island had been ruled by the Ottoman Empire. The city declined in status and for about 400 years it remained a simple fishing village of little significance.
During World War I, Ottoman forces withdrew from the town after the Arab Army of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, the Hashemite Leader of the Great Arab Revolt along with T.E. Lawrence, known as Lawrence of Arabia, led an attack against them.
The Hashemite Coat of Arms is placed above the main doorway of the fort having been put there by Sharif Hussein of Mecca during the 1917 Great Revolt.
The Aqaba Archaeological Museum
The Aqaba Museum lies adjacent to Aqaba Castle and it is housed in the historical residence of Sharif Hussein bin Ali, leader of the Great Arab Revolt, and the great grandfather of King Abdullah II. The Hashemite Coat of Arms over the entrance was added after the Turks were ousted from Aqaba during World War 1. This was Sharif Hussein’s residence for six years following the war.
The museum houses an important collection from the Islamic site of Ayla, with items that date to the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid and Fatimid periods. The collection thus represents the Islamic periods from the mid-seventh to the beginning of the twelfth century AD.
Among the exhibits is a Kufic inscription of “Ayat al-Kursi” from the Holy Quran, which surmounted the eastern (Egypt) gate of the city, and a hoard of gold Fatimid dinars minted at Sajilmasa in Morocco.
Artifacts displayed also include foreign pottery and coins left by ancient visitors.
The Aqaba Archaeological Museum Tel. +962-3-201 9063 Fax: +962-3-202 2023
Hours 08:00-19:00 in the summer and 08:00-16:00 in the winter
Admission 1 JD (includes entrance to the Fort)
Humayma
The site of Humayma, the ancient Nabataean and Roman settlement of Hawara, is located in Southern Jordan, 80km south of Petra and 80km north of Aqaba. Upon reaching the Humayma sign visitors need to drive for 8km into the desert until they reach the site.
Humayma was a small trading post and caravan way-station in Edom, the desert region of southern Jordan. It was founded by the Nabataean King Aretas III in the '80s BC as a sedentary center for the local nomadic Nabataean pastoralists, and as a strategy of state formation by a developing monarchy. Through careful management of the meager spring water and precipitation, the community was able to enjoy a settled existence based on agriculture, stock-raising, and passing caravans. Soon after the Roman conquest of the Nabataean kingdom in 106 AD and the formation of the Provincia Arabia, Trajan's forces built a major fort at the site to administer this region and suppress any local resistance. A modest prosperity continued through the Byzantine and early Islamic periods, until the site was abandoned around 750 AD. Excavations have so far exposed spectacular architectural remains, including one of the best-preserved early imperial forts in the Middle East.
A newly constructed visitor’s center is located at the site, and tour guides can be booked from there.
Tal Hujayrat al-Ghuzlan and Tal Magass
Aqaba is the only "living city" on the Red Sea with more than 6,000 years of history. Tal Hujayrat al-Ghuzlan and Tal Magass are the oldest known permanent settlements in the direct vicinity of Aqaba, dating to the transitional period from the late Chalcolithic to the Early Bronze Age (4th millennium BC).
Tal Al-Khalifeh
Tel Khalifeh testifies to human habitation in Aqaba that dates from the Iron Age (I) until the Persian period (1st millennium BC). This site is located near to the border with Israel and close to the shoreline of the Red Sea. Tel Al-Khalifeh is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, as it is the place where King Solomon built a fleet that sailed to Somalia and returned with 420 talents of gold. But recent excavations indicate that the site was found after the 8th century BC and served commercial and industrial purposes such as smelting copper and as a halting place for caravans.
The Ministry of Tourism can arrange special tours for archeologists and historians. Prior security clearance is required to some of these locations.
Information on the archeological sites in Aqaba can be obtained from the Ministry of Antiquities in Aqaba 962 3 2019063 or Amman 962 6 4603360 or visit their website at www.tourism.jo
Arab Revolt Plaza
At the heart of this Great Arab Revolt Plaza stands the tallest flag in the world, which flies from a 137 meter-high pole, measuring 20 by 40 meters with its base at 17 by 17 meters. The flag entered the Guinness Book of Records in 2003, a few years following Amman's successful capture of the title. The black, red, white and green fabric flutters as the warm breeze brings back memories of the historical events that branded the Greater Arab Revolt Plaza, which played a critical role in the campaign of the late Sherif Hussein Ben Ali, great grandfather of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who launched this Arab campaign of freedom and justice for Arab renaissance in 1917.
Places of Interest
The Aqaba Marine Park
Aqaba’s coral reef hosts around 500 species of fish, 127 species of hard coral and 300 of soft coral, in addition to the thousands of plants and animals that exist there. Nowhere else in the Indian or Pacific oceans do reef-building corals grow so far north of the equator.
Due to the need to safeguard this unique but imperiled ecosystem ASEZA established the Aqaba Marine Park in 1997 on a 7-kilometer-long strip along the southern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba.
The Marine Park is home to 21 of Aqaba’s 23 dive sites. It is responsible for monitoring all diving activities to make sure the corals and rich marine life are always protected. The center also arranges clean-up dives as well as many awareness and outreach programs.
In addition, the Park houses a camp ground that is equipped with tents, umbrellas, toilets and parking spots.
The newly-constructed Visitor's Center at the Park is an essential tool for educating the beach user and the community. The center caters to all visitors and has many halls that can be used for education and outreach programs to generate awareness of the fragile nature of the marine environment and the need to protect it. Activities include displays, lectures, workshops, slide shows, and a rich library, in addition to focused marine activities such as the adopt-a-coral project.
The Park houses a collection of rare shells collected from all around the world and presented as a gift from Princess Wijdan. There is also a gift shop which sells handmade traditional pieces made by the local fishermen’s wives as well as other gift items.
Marine Science Station
Within the parameters of the Aqaba Marine Park lies the Marine Science Station, the only marine research institute in Aqaba. The Marine Science Station has managed the coral reserve since 1986 and is owned and managed by the Jordan University and Yarmouk University. The station houses the Aqaba Marine Aquarium, which introduces visitors to some of the magnificent species that live in the Red Sea.
Aqaba Marine Aquarium
Established in 1981 the Aqaba Marine Aquarium was set up to demonstrate the beauty, uniqueness and importance of the coral reef ecosystem of the Gulf of Aqaba. It also serves as a venue for teaching and research at university level.
More than 30 species of stony and soft corals, 30 different invertebrates and about 45 species of reef fish are represented in the Aqaba Marine Aquarium. A simulation of coral reef in the Gulf of Aqaba is established in a 40m3 roofless concrete tank. Scientific, technical and maintenance operations in the Aqaba Marine Aquarium are conducted under the direct supervision of the MSS staff.
For more details contact:
Aqaba Marine Park Tel. +962-3-203 5801/03 Fax +962-3-203-5802 Email:
www.aseza-env.gov.jo (still not up)
The Aqaba Gateway
Opened in 2004 the Aqaba Gateway is the largest retail and entertainment complex in Aqaba. The center’s unique sand colored architecture reflects both the nature of Aqaba and the history of Jordan, and houses up to 33 retail outlets, numerous restaurants and cafes, and recreational facilities. One of the highlights of the center is a three dimensional cinema, the first of its kind in the Middle East, featuring The Jordan Experience.
Tel: +962-3-202-2200 Fax: + 962 3 203 2586
The Jordan Experience
Through this unique cinema adventure viewers first take a 15 minutes interactive walking tour through Jordan’s history. This is followed by a 25 minute virtual flying carpet ride from the lowest point on earth at the Dead Sea through to Petra’s magnificent Siq, and onto the canyons of Wadi Rum from where Lawrence of Arabia and Sheikh Sharif Hussein led the World War I attack on Aqaba. In order to enhance the spectator's illusion of actually flying, the theater's 110 seats move as well throughout the journey. The theatre is fitted with the latest state-of-the-art technology, moving seats, and terrific surround sound making this special audio-visual experience unforgettable
