Amman

Amman’s story begins on seven hills, where ancient people settled over 9,000 years ago. Back then, it was known as Rabbath-Ammon, the capital of the Ammonite kingdom. They built strong defenses and carved out a culture that held its own against bigger powers. Around 332 BC, Alexander the Great swept through, and the city fell under Greek rule, later renamed Philadelphia by the Romans.

The Romans left their mark with massive stone theaters, wide roads, and soaring columns. The Roman Theater in downtown Amman, still used for concerts today, could seat over 6,000 people. Nearby, the Citadel hill holds ruins from every age—Roman temples, Byzantine churches, and an early Islamic palace.

In the 7th century, Arab Muslim armies took control, and Amman became part of the Islamic world. Then it faded from maps for centuries, shrinking into a village until the late 1800s. That’s when Circassian refugees, fleeing Russian expansion, resettled here and sparked new growth.

In the 20th century, Amman transformed. When the Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I, the British helped create modern Jordan. Emir Abdullah chose Amman as the capital in 1921. Since then, the city has been at the center of Jordan’s national story, welcoming waves of refugees and navigating wars, peace talks, and regional change.

Parents and kids visiting Amman can explore history while tasting fresh falafel on Rainbow Street or wandering the old souk in downtown. The Citadel at sunset, the Royal Automobile Museum, and the buzzing cafés of Jabal al-Weibdeh make the city easy to enjoy.