Bzyantine Castles, Crusader Forts, Roman Cities

Jordan is part of the "Holy Land" with sites associated with historical figures that we've all heard about, from Moses to Jesus. It's also crammed full of ancient cities, forts and castles where significant historical events took place.  We've done all the highlights of Jordan, plus more.  Our start was at Umm Qais, site of the ancient Greek/Roman city where Jesus' miracle of casting out demon into a pig took place.  Close to the ancient city is a cave where Jesus hid.  On our way to visit, we were stopped by a police road block and turned back because of too much military activity in the area and a prominent American was expected so the border area was closed.  Just in back of the fort stand guard posts on stilts watching over the borders between Syria, Jordan and the disputed Golan Heights.  As we toured the city an American helicopter flew over.

 

The market town of Ajlun is dominated by an early Arab military fort built in part to resist the Crusader incursions into the area in 1184-85.

Outside the gate a Bedouin sells coffee, Bedouin tea--thick tea with sugar and cardamon

 

 

 

Jerash is the best preserved Roman city in the Middle East.  Like many, it started out as a Greek city and under the Romans was prestigious as a semi-independent status within the Roman province of Syria.  Jerash became rich off the  incense and spice trade.  Very long and interesting story if you're interested, but a massive earthquake in the 8th century destroyed much of the town.

 Our guide's house, inherited from his grandfather, is inside the old city walls. Before excavation part of the old site was buried under 3 feet of dirt and his grandfather's wheat field was planted in the Oval Plaza.  Below is the Oval Plaza. You can see the level of the dirt by the discoloration on the bottom of the columns.

 
Mount Nebo is the site from which Moses saw the promised land and Moses died on Mt. Nebo.  The Byzantine church is being remodeled and was  built over an even earlier construction.  There are beautiful mosaics depicting farmers, hunters, and animals. Mostly the site has a fabulous view back to the promised land.  That's me looking at the camera and Chris looking at the promised land--just like Moses did, except she only has to wait a week not 40 years

 

 

 

The magnificent crusader fort of Kerak

 

The fabulous mosaics of St. George's church in Madaba, an old testament city conquered by the Israelites.  Below is the mosaic map of Jerusalem  done in the 6th c. when Jerusalem was still a Roman town with many identifiable landmarks.

All of these sites are so much more than I can present here.  The Internet has lots of information on all of them.  Please forgive any errors of my memory!!!