The Original Philadelphia

Did you know that Amman, Jordan, was once called Philadelphia, and that it was built on seven hills? That's just one of the facts we learned when we visited the Citadel in the center of Amman. On top of one of those hills, right in the center of the city is a set of ruins that date back to prehistoric times and still bear the remnants of Roman, Crusader, Ummayad and Byzantine civilizations, and probably more.

The entrance to the Citadel, with the pillars of the Temple of Hercules in the distance.

The Citadel sits atop the highest point in Amman and thus affords a magnificent view of Jordan's most populous city.

This view looks from the Citadel site south toward the Roman theatre in the right center of the photo. 

The population of Amman is more than 4 million, and it looks like all of it is shoved together surrounding the original site.

How do they cram so many buildings into such a small space? Where is any open space (other than the Citidel site)?

The remaining artifacts are the Temple of Hercules,

Remains of the Temple of Hercules

the Ummayad Palace,

Ummayad Palace

Detail of the Ummayad Palace

and the remains of a Byzantine Church, mostly in ruins.

The modern city of Amman peaks over the rubble of an ancient Byzantine church

Next stop:  A view of the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo.