The Most Unusual Places to Visit in Jordan

Jordan is a great travel destination because it is filled with surprises for travelers. While everyone knows Petra can be found there, most people know little else about this incredible destination. In fact, the country will keep you intrigued because of its blend of modern buildings and ancient culture. Aside from that, it also has unusual places that will surely make your trip remarkable. So, here are the most unusual places to visit in Jordan.

The Duke’s Diwan

The Duke’s Diwan is an old residence in downtown Amman. This building was built by Abdul Rahman Madi in 1924 as a reminder of the ancient architectural designs of Old Amman.

Initially, the building was used as the Central Post Office of Jordan until the 1940s. Afterward, it became an extension of the Haifa Hotel for about 50 years. In 2001, the unique character of the building caught the eyes of Mamdouh Bisharat. From there, its unusual design was preserved. Today, you can visit Duke’s Diwan to get a glimpse of ancient Jordan. You will also see some memorabilia from the glory days of the Haifa Hotel.

Hand of Hercules

Many tourists think that the Hand of Hercules is one of the most unusual places to visit in Jordan. After all, a statue of three fingers with manicured nails is quite weird. However, there is a fascinating story behind this unusual object.

The Hand of Hercules was built between 162 to 166 CE when the Romans occupied Amman. For years, many scholars unraveled the mysteries behind the half-finished temple after the excavation process revealed several clues. Eventually, archaeologists agreed that the gigantic fingers were part of Hercules’ massive statue. Aside from that, they also concluded that the temple was dedicated to him.

Today, many tourists enjoy walking around the site of the abandoned temple. The statue of the three fingers is a weird yet delightful sight you can include in your photo ops.

Umbrella Staircases of Amman

The last on this list of the most unusual places to visit in Jordan is the Umbrella Staircases of Amman. As you know, Amman is famous for its staircases. After all, you can shorten your travel time by walking on the network of staircases in the city. For years, the staircases were decorated with colorful art and graffiti. Recently, the residents of Amman decided to decorate the staircases with colorful umbrellas.

The best umbrella staircase in Amman is the staircase going to Prince Muhammed Street and the Zajal Restaurant. Here, you will see lots of hanging colorful umbrellas designed in an unusual yet fascinating way.