Rising out of Jordan’s northern basalt plain, beautiful Umm al-Jimal is both a modern town and an ancient archaeological site, home to almost 2000 years of fascinating history and culture – Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine, Umayyad, Mamluk, Ottoman and Modern. It was a thriving agricultural center and a stop on the Hijaz to Damascus caravan route. One can explore over 150 well preserved ancient structures, built in neighborhoods along meandering alleys and around hosh-like plazas.
Umm al-Jimal is also a modern community with much to offer to its visitors. Your visit to this town will enrich your archaeological experience with a still living Bedouin cultural heritage, in the downtown shops and residents’ homes. Just 90 minutes from Amman by car, a visit to Umm al-Jimal makes an easy day trip that can include other similar sites in Northeast Jordan, or even the Desert Castles.