Overview:

Haret Jdoudna (Salt) is a city in northern Jordan located in the Zarqa Governorate. It has been an important trading center since ancient times and is now home to a number of businesses. It is also home to the family of Jordan's King Abdullah II and is thus a popular tourist destination. The city is known for its natural scenery and historic sites, including the ancient fort of Jdoudna and its natural salt springs. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

1. Visually Stunning Outcrops: The outcropper bedrock of the cliffs of ‘Horet Jdoudna’ rises steeply from the valley floor and many of the pink and red sandstone formations tower over visitors. 2. Varied Eco System: Home to a variety of animal and plant species, the reserve contains everything from the ibex of the high mountain ranges to the endangered rock hyrax which inhabit the qasr. 3. Abundance of Ancient Rock Art: A wealth of ancient rock art has been discovered in the region, with engravings and paintings from up to 10,000 years ago. 4. Spectacular Rock Formations: Along the steep and rugged escarpment, visitors can find the spectacular natural rock formations which give the reserve its unique character. 5. Salt Lakes: The lake of Haret Jdoudna contain salt, making the area a stunning source of ancient commerce. 6. Ancient Roman Ruins: Rumours tell of hidden Roman fortifications high in the cliffs of the nature reserve. Fragments have been found across the area. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Haret Jdoudna (Salt) in Jordan is an ancient city whose history dates back to the Iron Age. The earliest archaeological evidence for the existence of Salt is from the early Bronze Age (3000-2500 BC) when it was occupied by people of the Amorite tribe. In the 9th century BC, the city was conquered by the Israelites and became a part of their kingdom. In the 4th century BC, after Alexander the Great conquered the area, the city became part of the Seleucid Empire, and in 63 BC, it was annexed by the Roman Empire. Salt was an important trading center on the ancient trade route between Syria and Egypt. It was also home to a Roman garrison. Salt became strategically important during the early Islamic period when it was a base for military operations in Transjordan and Palestine. It is believed that it served as an administrative center for the Umayyads in the 7th century AD. In the Crusader period, the city passed through a succession of rulers, including the Franks, the Ayyubids and Mamluks. It was sacked in 1260 by the Mongols on their way to Jerusalem. During Ottoman times, Salt was part of the administrative unit of Damascus province. In the modern period, Salt was part of the Emirate of Transjordan under Abdullah I from 1921 to 1946 and then became part of the newly-created Hashemite state of Jordan at its independence in 1946. It is now the capital of the governorate of Balqa. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. Haret Jdoudna is the oldest salt mine in Jordan, dating back to the copper age (around 3,500 BCE). 2. It is the largest open-air salt mine in the world, covering an area of approximately 5,000 hectares. 3. Haret Jdoudna is estimated to hold salt deposits of more than 10 million tons and to have an output of more than 200 million tons of salt per year. 4. The salt produced from the mine is used not only to flavor food but also in paper production, glass manufacturing, medicine, and other industries. 5. Due to the presence of the salt, the region is arid and supports few plants and animals, making it a unique biodiversity hotspot and home to a number of rare species of plants and animals. 6. The salt mined in the area was once used as currency during the Ottoman Empire. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.