Ajloun - Reserve among the monuments

Located north of Amman, Ajloun Nature Reserve (13 sq. km.), Founded in 1988. Were taken under the protection of mountain areas around the valley of Ain Zubiya. They are covered with dense forests of oak and pistachio trees. This is an ideal place for tourists. In the forests of scattered villages, where hiding interesting monuments. In the vicinity of the village Tube you can see Zeydanianskuyu mosque and near the village of Zubiya - the ruins of an ancient Byzantine church, with more than a hundred years of construction. In the commercial town of Ajloun castle worth seeing Qalat ar - Rabad XII century, which is an example of Arab military architecture. Castle, reminiscent of the famous Krak des Chevaliers in Syria, was erected to protect against the Crusaders. Via Regia, imperial or royal road - a route that passes through the heart of Jordan. This is one of the most ancient, mentioned in the Bible, means of communication, which today is important for countries in the Middle East. The road took a start in Egypt (Heliopolis), passed through the Sinai Peninsula to Aqaba, Petra and from there through to Udruha Ma'an, Seli, Shobak, Madaba, Rabbath, Jerash, Bostrom, Damascus, and Tadmor, and ends in Resafe the northern Euphrates. Development of many nations (the Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites) depended on this trade route. Nabatiyah used it for transporting goods from South Arabia. In Roman times it was called the Via Traiana Nova. She also played a big role in the early centuries of Christianity, as it was by pilgrims to the important place for Christians (such as Mount Nebo). Muslims went on the road to Mecca. Approximately 20 km south - west of Amman, a desert plateau gives way to a lush valley of Wadi Seer. Here are the ruins of the castle of Qasr al - Abd al-Iraq, and caves - Amir. The castle was built of limestone blocks in the II century BC Hirkanusom of the people of the Ammonites. He was surrounded by walls, within which, besides the buildings housed the park and lake. The palace was decorated with a huge stone statues of animals. Earthquake 362 years almost completely destroyed the castle. Today you can see the northern entrance, decorated with sculpture depicting a giant lion. At about 500 meters from the castle are 11 caves, probably erected by people known as the Caves of the Prince. For many years they have been used as stables, and today serves residents of nearby villages as the room for goats and storage of agricultural products.