Ever wondered where Amman’s old signs go to retire? Right here at the Old Signs of Amman Museum. This museum is a captivating cultural experience. It showcases the city’s rich history through vintage signage.
The Old Signs of Amman Museum is a hidden gem. It is in Amman’s bustling center. It immerses visitors in the city’s historical narrative. This is done through a fascinating collection of vintage signs. The museum preserves Amman’s visual culture. It showcases signage that has adorned Amman’s streets for decades. From old advertisements to iconic street signs, each piece tells a story. These stories tell of the people, businesses, and changes that have shaped Amman.
As you explore the Old Signs of Amman Museum, you will see signs. These signs evoke memories of a bygone era. This lets you appreciate the evolution of Amman’s urban landscape. The museum is not just about viewing artifacts. It is a cultural experience that engages all your senses. The displays are thoughtfully arranged. Informative captions provide context about each sign. This enhances your understanding of their significance. The museum’s intimate setting allows for a relaxed exploration. This makes it an ideal spot for both history buffs and casual visitors.
Ghazi Khattab created the Old Signs of Amman Museum. He was born in 1962. He wanted to allow everyone to discover Amman’s history in a brand new way. At the museum you can find hand-drawn and painted signs from as far back as 1949. Khattab chose this location because the signs he collected were originally from the downtown area. He wanted to maintain that contextual link. The museum is above Cafè Central. This café was established in the 1930s. It is one of the oldest places in downtown.
Khattab’s passion for Arabic calligraphy began when he was young. From first grade until he was 11, he looked at magazines and newspapers. He also looked at sign boards above storefronts. He liked the fonts they used. As he got older, he walked daily from Al-Wehdat refugee camp to Marka. He wanted to see the largest number of sign boards possible.
In 1980, Khattab took a photo under the Al-Sarsour shop sign in downtown. This photo went with him to Berlin. There he studied the art of making signs and graphic design. Six years later, he acquired that sign. It is now on display at the Old Signs of Amman Museum.
Khattab started protecting Amman’s old sign boards in 1986. He prefers signs to be outside. He wants everyone to see and enjoy the old face of Amman. If they are in danger of damage, he brings them to the museum.
Before setting up the museum, Khattab decided to stay in Amman after finishing his studies in Germany. In 1988, he opened a shop for making sign boards in Al-Quwasimah. He bought a set of printable letters. This caused calligraphers to revolt against him. Following that, he worked on rehabilitating Arabic calligraphy. He wanted to maintain the legacy of old Amman through his museum.
Some people donate signs to the Old Signs of Amman Museum. They want to preserve them and keep their childhood memories alive. In some cases, Khattab makes new signs for shop owners. This allows him to get the old ones. The most valuable signs cost him nothing. Relatives of shop and clinic owners gifted them to preserve memories. With each sign, the value of the place increases.
The oldest sign in the museum was created in 1949. Albert, an Armenian calligrapher, made it for Robin Kechejian. Kechejian had a photographic equipment store. The sign board for the Mahmoud Jomaa clinic arrived broken. One day a lady came in with her mother and daughters. She found her father’s sign. She took photos beside it and sent them to her brother. Now, the sign is complete.
The idea wasn’t to have a museum about signs and calligraphy. It was to have a place that is a window onto memories. It is a place of longing for the places and people we lost. Khattab does not interfere with how the old signs look. He only cleans dust or dirty spots with a vacuum. He does not use chemical products. The signs are protected from weather fluctuations inside the museum.
Each month, the museum gives one calligrapher the opportunity to show their work. This increases people’s love of Arabic calligraphy. Some people even reserve space to teach music. The museum is open for free. Khattab believes everyone should see the beauty of the old sign boards.
Each month around 6,000 people visit the Old Signs of Amman. That is an average of 200 visitors a day. One visitor said the museum makes you feel connected to the Amman we never knew. You can see the ads from the past. You can see the signs we do not have anymore. As you leave the Old Signs of Amman Museum, consider this. You have taken a walk through time. You have seen the city through the signs of its past.