The World Heritage Organization (UNESCO) announced in 2024 the inclusion of Umm al Jimal as the seventh Jordanian site on the UNESCO World Heritage List. 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.
