UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan

Jordan, a land of mystery with a rich past dating back thousands of years. Ancient Roman temples, lost desert cities and biblical locations are peppered throughout the country. With 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Jordan to explore, you’ll travel across deserts, cities and open plains to uncover the fascinating history of this country.

Petra

Petra, one of the most remarkable locations in the world, attracts over 800,000 visitors a year. The ancient Nabataeans carved their ‘Rose City’ into steep rock, hiding their civilisation. Petra has become so famous it is now one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. But finding Petra is half the fun. A city lost in the desert amidst towering cliffs and plunging gorges. And how do you get in? Through a mysterious string of secret passages hidden in the sandstone rock.

Best time to visit: April – October

Wadi Rum Protected Area

When many people picture Jordan, images of the Wadi Rum desert usually come to mind. This intense landscape covers 74,000 hectares of Jordan. Within its boundaries, you’ll find all manner of land formations. Sweeping arcs, hidden walkways and soaring cliffs. Discover thousands of examples of ancient art adorning the walls. Rock carvings, inscriptions and petroglyphs all illustrate the intriguing history of the desert. Years of weathering, erosion, and movements in tectonic plates created Wadi Rum as we know it. Exploring its grounds is an unforgettable experience completely unique to Jordan.

Quseir Amra

In the east Jordanian desert awaits the ancient fortress Quseir Amra – one of the best-preserved desert castles still standing. Erected in the 8th century, the castle was once home to the Umayyad caliphs. Explore the great hall and the bath building, their walls decorated with a tapestry of murals. Illustrations depicting risque scenes from their daily lives in the desert. The domed ceiling in the hot room displays one of the earliest paintings of the zodiac known to man.

Umm er-Rasas

Three giant archways in the heart of the Jordanian Desert mark the spot Um er-Rasas – an important archaeological site dating back to the 3rd century. The remains are decorated with an incredible representation of Byzantine mosaics. There’s a lot to explore even though the majority remains still buried out of sight. 16 hidden churches, secret crypts, sacred chapels, and the square hermit tower is one of the last in the world still standing.

Baptism site “Bethany beyond the Jordan”

Resting on the eastern bank of the River Jordan lies one of the most important Christian sites in the world. This archaeological ruin marks the spot where Saint John the Baptist baptised Jesus. Untouched, rustic beauty provides the perfect backdrop for Roman and Byzantine remains. Explore chapels, churches, caves and halls and take in the spectacular views of Elijah’s Hill. The baptism site has been a key stop on Christian pilgrimages for hundreds of years. People come to perform baptisms and rituals in one of the holiest places in the world.

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Jordan