As-Salt, Jordan, gives visitors a sense of time-traveling as they pass through its winding streets and view the antique buildings towering above. The yellow limestone structures surrounding the town center have stood tall since the 18th and 19th centuries. Homes and shops, built in a late-Ottoman style, began appearing across As-Salt in the latter part of the 19th century. The development happened as merchants arrived because of its convenient location between the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern desert. The many historic buildings and their past as a vital trading link encouraged UNESCO to claim it as a World Heritage Site.
Unique in Design
The hills surrounding As-Salt provided a base for the tightly developed town and gave it as interesting a vista when seen from a distance as when walking through the streets. Winding staircases built into the hills and around the structures add to the aesthetic. Visitors to As-Salt can visit the shops, some private homes, and other destinations of interest in the city center and beyond.
The appeal of As-Salt as a trade and pilgrimage crossroads allowed it to gain popularity in the late 18th century. Over the next 50-100 years, the area grew more desirable to businesspeople, families, and others. The reputation of the city lured talented craftspeople, artists, and architects. The visitors arriving as the expansion began contributed their talents to the beauty of the architecture throughout the city.
The architectural designs across As-Salt stand out because it blends many influences. Included are structures with traditional regional styles, late Ottoman designs, and many European touches. The buildings at the city core have domed roofs and arched windows. Many homes and businesses offer interior courtyards.
The Abu Jaber mansion is a former family home that now operates as a museum. The multi-storied building has frescos painted by Italian artists, red tiles imported from France, and wrought-iron and stone lintels. It was also one of the first structures in As-Salt to have indoor plumbing.
Filled With History
As-Salt was, and is, more than a pretty place to visit. The reputation and prosperity of the city attracted many educated and ambitious people. These individuals helped As-Salt become notable for being first in many achievements. Some milestones include being the first city in Jordan to install streetlights, the first to have paved sidewalks, and the first to provide schoolchildren with textbooks.
UNESCO identified about 650 buildings within the city core with historical significance. A densely packed historical collection resides in the city center, but there is much to see and experience elsewhere. Away from the core heritage area are the remains of a 13th-century fortress and Roman tombs. The region offers museums that display the talents of the ancient residents through artifacts from as early as the Chalcolithic Era. Folklore museums protect the traditional garb of the local Bedouins, and handicraft schools provide lessons on traditional regional artistic skills.
Prized for Tolerance
The reputation of As-Salt as a city of tolerance received attention from UNESCO when they decided to protect it as a World Heritage Site. Kindness and acceptance occurred organically in the busy trade area. The residents of As-Salt happily welcomed travelers into their homes. In As-Salt, the blend of Muslim and Christian residents working and living together encouraged the development of a social welfare system, public guest houses, and much more. Many historic buildings included interconnected stairways and shared outdoor courtyards in their design. These features remain today. Neighbors continue to meet and dine together in these outdoor recreational areas and happily welcome others to join them.
As-Salt offers an opportunity to visit historic sites and view beautiful architecture. It is a chance to soak in and learn more about the rich cultural history of the middle east. Many travelers, however, will discover they most enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings and the acceptance and welcoming of the people who reside in the city.
