Aqaba, Jordan: A Historical Place

Aqaba is a blend of antiquity within a unique landscape that rises away from the warm waters of the Red Sea all the way to distant mountainous peaks.

One of the city’s main historic sites can be seen as a microcosm of Aqaba itself and is a great starting point from which to explore; Aqaba Fort still stands proud and strong, adorned with the Hashemite Kingdom’s coat of arms inscribed above the main gate.

LOCATION

The Gulf of Aqaba is positioned along the southeastern edge of the Sinai Peninsula, and bordered by the countries of Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

CLIMATE

What’s the best time to travel to Aqaba in Jordan? Here are some facts:

• The months January, February, March, November and December have a nice average temperature.
• Hot season / summer is in April, May, June, July, August, September and October.
• Aqaba has dry periods in January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August.
• On average, the warmest month is August.
• On average, the coolest month is January.
• September is the wettest month.
• May is the driest month.

TRANSPORTATION

• By taxi – Taxis are easily available in the city. A ride within town should cost no more than 2 JD. A ride outside town (to a beach nearby or to any border crossings) costs around 5 JD.

• By local buses – Local minibuses connect residential areas with downtown. The fare is 17 Piasters (170 Fils or 0.17 JD) regardless of the length of the journey. Passengers can get on and off at any point of the route. The central bus station is located in front of the Police station in King Talal Street, less than 10 min walk from city centre (ayla square, Al-Hussein Bin Ali Mosque). Buses stop at the roofed benches at King Hussein Street, near the big flag pole and near the traffic light. Central bus station workers typically point travelers to the flag pole stop.

WHAT TO SEE

Aqaba Fort

This fort is also called the Aqaba Castle or the Mamluk Castle. This fort offers a glimpse into Jordan’s history. Various sections of the fort include remnants of different rulers that ruled over this city.

The oldest part of the fort is believed to have been built by the Crusaders, i.e. during the first of the Holy Wars. Other parts of the fort date back to the turbulent times of the 13th century when Jordan was a war-ravaged country.

Turkish Baths

There are many steam baths with a historic significance throughout the Arabian mainland. However, none of them are more sought after than the Turkish baths. These baths are supposed to exude the most original form of Persian styling.

Turkish baths are still open to the public but mostly, women are welcomed. Visitors can look forward to bathing in gigantic, hollowed stone creations. This is followed by a dedicated scrubbing regimen. Often referred to as ‘Hammams,’ the Turkish baths are very popular and it can take up to a week to get a reservation here.

Humayma

This site is regarded as the most credible source of Roman and Nabataean settlements in Jordan. Humayma served as the controlling point for King Aretas-III. Most natives believe that the trading patterns that began in Humayma laid the foundation for Aqaba’s evolution into an important, commercial city.

Some artifacts here indicate towards the presence of Trojans. In fact, some of the nearby, smaller forts are believed to have been built by the Trojans. Humayma was an integral part of the Byzantine Empire.

Numerous excavations are still being carried out to understand the regional importance of Humayma. Visitors are advised to take the help of a local tour guide when visiting Humayma.

http://laurenceourac.com/aqaba-jordan-a-historical-place/