CULTURE AND SIGHTSEEING IN AQABA

Jordan’s lone coastal city, which also serves as the nation’s sole seaport, is located on the Gulf of Aqaba. Aqaba sees a fair number of tourists being the gateway city to the well-known tour Wadi Rum desert landscapes and is known for having a diverse marine life in its warm Red Sea waters.
Aqaba is a coastal town with Jordanian charm that is located on the southernmost tip of Jordan, about 4 hours from the country’s capital of Amman. Aqaba is a lovely addition to the urban charm of Amman, offering the neighborhood bars, water sports, and a historical flare for those seeking to travel back in time to see culture and history.

The Early Islamic city of Ayla

About 650 AD, the Rashedi Caliph Othaman Ben Afan founded the early Islamic city of Ayla, which is noteworthy for being the first Islamic city to be established outside of the Arabian Peninsula. It operated as a port for neighboring Palestine and a storage facility for the Hejaz. On their trip to Mecca, Egyptian pilgrims once made a halt in Ayla, which was a significant location. Nowadays, you can still see the ruins of the city walls, gates, a sizable mosque, and other structures right in the middle of Aqaba’s coastal hotel sector. The location is clearly recognized and contains panels with facts about its significance and Aqaba history.

 

Aqaba Castle

The early 16th century is when the Mamluk stronghold was constructed, according to an ancient inscription. The entryway is flanked by semi-circular towers, and the Hashemite family crest is visible above it. Visitors to the resort may easily access and are near to the excavation of the medieval city of Aqaba Ayla.

It is accessible at any time of day. Every street in Aqaba has a story to tell. Jordan’s history may be seen at the Aqaba Fort. It was first found in the area where Mamluke Sultan Qanswah el-Ghawri reigned (1501-1517 AD). The fort was utilized and updated by a number of historical dynasties, including the Mamluks and Ottomans.

Early Church at Aqaba

Archaeologists in Aqaba have discovered what they think to be the world’s oldest church, dating from the late third century AD, in one of the most intriguing recent findings.
It predates both the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, both of which were built in the fourth century. The church, which is located on a parcel of land to the east of Istiklal Street, has been backfilled with dirt for security.

culture in aqaba

The early 16th century is when the Mamluk stronghold was constructed, according to an ancient inscription. The entryway is flanked by semi-circular towers, and the Hashemite family crest is visible above it. Visitors to the resort may see the old city of Ayla’s excavation near Aqaba. It is accessible at any time of day.

  • City center shopping
  • Cultural site-seeing
  • Dive activities
Seeing-the-Better-City-of-Aqaba
Aqaba Museum

aqaba archeological museum

The Sherif Hussein Bin Ali residence in Aqaba is home to the Aqaba Archaeological Museum, which welcomed visitors in 1990. Today, it is home to a significant collection from the Islamic site of Ayla, which dates to the Rashidun, Umayyad, Abbasid, and Fatimid periods, i.e., the Islamic periods from the middle of the 7th to the beginning of the 12th century AD.

arab revolt plaza

The Great Arab Rebellion Plaza serves as the culmination of your tour of Aqaba’s historic landmarks. This enormous area is said to be the perfect getaway for tourists since it’s a terrific place to unwind and take in views of the middle beach. The Plaza’s historical significance is what makes it so significant. It embraces the Great Arab Revolt banner and Al Hussein Bin Ali’s home, the Arab Revolution’s leader. Being the first Jordanian territory that the forces of the revolution under Al Sharif Hussein bin Ali set foot on, it carries a profoundly significant national connotation. Moreover, it was the location of the first shot fired during the Arab Uprising.

sharif hussein bin ali mosque

Hussein bin Ali, who presided as Sharif and Emir of Mecca from 1908 until 1917, is honored by having the mosque bear his name. During the First World War, Al Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, who is credited with starting the Arab Revolt, fought against the Ottoman Empire’s growing nationalism.

Al Hussein Bin Ali mosque is a symbol of Islamic architecture and a stirring sight among the bustle of city life with its immaculate white construction, exquisite glass windows, and rising minarets. Among the mosques in Jordan, it also has the biggest dome. For Aqaba population, it serves as their primary mosque. The city’s everyday life is observed at its most serene and pious during visitors’ peaceful strolls around the exquisite interior.

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