Overview:

Dana Village is a small village located in the Dana Nature Reserve in the far south of Jordan, near the border with Saudi Arabia. It is one of the most incredible and remote places in the country and offers beautiful vistas and fascinating local culture. Due to its isolated location, it's only really worth making the effort to travel to Dana Village as part of a longer trip to Jordan. It is well worth a visit if you want to explore untouched nature and gain an insight into traditional Jordanian life. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

1. World-Class Archaeological Site: Dana Village's charming and historic old town is recognized as an archaeological site and is one of Jordan's ten natural reserves. The site is a venue for an ancient Copper and Iron Age city and boasts of a wealth of fascinating ruins and artifacts. 2. Beautiful Landscapes: The park encompassing Dana Village is rich in breathtaking natural scenery, including a spectacular view of the Dana Valley and Wadi Araba from its highest point of 1,300 meters. The colorful desert and mountain scenery has drawn hikers from all over the world. 3. Rich History: Dana Village is situated right in the middle of the ancient trading route known as the King's Highway and was once part of an ancient kingdom. Remnants of this rich history can be found in the form of rock engravings and tombs, with some dating back to the first century BC. 4. Ecotourism Opportunities: With a wealth of flora and fauna, Dana Village is an important stopover for migrating birds and one of the top ecotourism havens in Jordan. Many popular activities at Dana include camping, trekking, mountain biking, and birdwatching. 5. Traditional Aramaic Hospitality: The traditional hospitality of the local Jordanian Aramaic people is reflected in the welcoming locals of Dana Village. They will proudly show visitors around and point out favorite cultural spots in the area, as well as offer delicacies like pastries and olives. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Dana village is one of the most picturesque and scenic villages in the sprawling Wadi Araba region of southern Jordan. Located just eight kilometers away from the city of Petra, Dana is perched on a plateau at an altitude of 900 to 1,700 meters. It overlooks Wadi Dana, the largest nature reserve in Jordan and is the starting point for numerous nature trails and hikes in the area. The village dates back to the Iron Age, and its presence was first documented in Arabic sources as early as the 12th century. However, it was first seriously settled in the 17th century by the Adwan Bedouin tribe. Originally nomadic, the Adwans made a pact with the reigning Ottoman Sultan to settle the land in exchange for military protection against their neighbors. The Sultan granted the Adwans rights to the land, and they established permanent settlements, earning the nickname “Settled Bedouins”. Dana was ruled by the Bedouin until it became part of the Emirate of Transjordan in 1921. Over the following decades, it slowly became more connected to the provincial and central government systems in Jordan, and it was eventually made a part of the Al-Mafraq Governorate in 1957. In the 1990s, Dana saw an influx of Bedouin refugees from the Sinai Peninsula, and its population increased dramatically. This brought many new economic and educational opportunities to the area, and the village began to thrive. Today, Dana is a thriving tourist attraction, welcoming visitors from all around the world. Local visitors can explore the ancient rocky city walls, explore nature trails, and visit the remarkable ancient ruins of The Madrasa, the area’s 12th century fortified Ottoman school. Whether for a day, a week, or longer, travelers looking for an authentic Jordanian experience will find it in the charming village of Dana. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. Dana village lies within the Dana Biosphere Reserve, one of the oldest and largest reserves in Jordan. 2. Dana was traditionally a Bedouin village, home to around 30 families. After the creation of the Biosphere Reserve, many of these families moved to nearby villages. 3. In 1996, Dana was transformed into a Bedouin-style ‘eco-lodge’, with rooms made out of local stone and furnished with traditional Bedouin designs. 4. Dana Village was also the first village in Jordan to receive an electricity and water supply. 5. The spectacular landscapes around Dana Village range from a ‘fig tree’ oasis surrounded by small hills and plateaus, to rugged mountains, gorges, and canyons. 6. Dana Village overlooks the deepest canyon in Jordan, the Abu Aineh Gorge, which is known as ‘the hidden heart of Jordan’. 7. The village and surrounding area are home to a number of endangered species, including the Syrian Wolf, the Long-eared hedgehog, the Barbary Sheep, and the Caracal, an African wild cat. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.