02.06.2015 Views

Download PDF file - Travel News

Download PDF file - Travel News

Download PDF file - Travel News

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

TTA<br />

14<br />

Aqaba<br />

Famed for its preserved coral reefs and<br />

unique sea life, this Red Sea port city was,<br />

in ancient times, the main port for<br />

shipments from the Red Sea to the Far<br />

East. The Mameluk Fort, one of the<br />

main historical landmarks of<br />

Aqaba, rebuilt by the Mameluks<br />

in the 16th century. Square in<br />

shape and flanked by<br />

semicircular towers,<br />

the fort is marked with<br />

various inscriptions<br />

marking the latter<br />

period of the Islamic<br />

dynasty. The current<br />

excavations at the<br />

ancient site of the early<br />

Islamic town Ayla, with<br />

its two main streets<br />

intersecting in the<br />

middle and dating back<br />

to the 7th century<br />

already revealed a gate<br />

and city wall along with<br />

towers, buildings and a<br />

mosque. The museum<br />

houses a collection of<br />

artefacts collected in the region, including<br />

pottery and coins. Aqaba also hosts the<br />

house of Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, the great<br />

grandfather of King Abdullah II. Other<br />

places of interest include the mud brick<br />

building thought to be the earliest church<br />

in the region.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!