Al Hanayifa

“Welcome in Jordan!” That’s a phrase you’ll hear often in Amman, especially around Al Hanayifa. Al Hanayifa is a hidden gem tucked away in the sprawling city. It represents a whisper of ancient times, a testament to the enduring spirit of Amman. Amman itself is a city of remarkable resilience. It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on Earth. Did you know that excavations in 1994 unearthed homes and towers from the Stone Age? These structures date back a staggering 7000 BCE, showcasing the deep historical roots of this place. Amman wears its history on its sleeve, a tapestry woven from the threads of empires and civilizations that have risen and fallen here. Biblical accounts mention Amman as Rabbath-Ammon, the powerful capital of the Ammonites. This fierce kingdom clashed with biblical figures like Saul and David, their battles etched in the annals of history. The city’s name changed to Philadelphia during the reign of Ptolemy II Philadelphus in the 3rd century BCE. As part of the Decapolis League, Philadelphia thrived under Roman rule. The Romans, with their penchant for grand architecture, left their mark on the city, adorning it with colonnaded streets, impressive public buildings, and of course, the iconic Roman Theatre. After the Romans, the Byzantines made Philadelphia a prominent Christian center, leaving behind their own legacy of grand churches. Yet, like many ancient cities, Philadelphia eventually went through a period of decline, only to be revived in the late 19th century with the arrival of Circassian settlers. Today Amman is a modern metropolis. The echoes of its past still resonate through sites like Al Hanayifa, a quiet reminder of the city’s long and captivating history.