"I never imagined what a sacred historical place it would be. Sitting atop one of the seven hills overlooking the city, the site is like an archaeological mosaic where fragments of paganism, Christianity and Islam from different eras and empires coexist. And I had the place almost all to myself, except for staff and just a few other visitors quietly wandering the grounds."
"One of the stunning displays is this colossal hand sitting beside ruins of an ancient Roman temple, which date back to the second century. Researchers believe the hand belonged to a massive statue of Hercules. Nearby are the remains of a Byzantine church and an Umayyad palace. Walking these hallowed grounds, each monument contains its unique architecture and symbolism, each brings its own meaning to the mosaic."
Amman endured nearly two weeks of frequent civil defense sirens announcing missiles crossing Jordanian airspace during the Israel-Iran war in June, followed by a ceasefire. The Amman Citadel sits atop one of the city's seven hills and presents layered archaeological remains where pagan, Christian and Islamic elements from different eras coexist. The site was largely empty, visited only by staff and a few quiet visitors. Visible displays include a colossal hand believed to belong to a massive statue of Hercules beside the ruins of a second-century Roman temple, plus remains of a Byzantine church and an Umayyad palace.
Read at www.npr.org
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