Overview:

The Mukawir Museum in Jordan is located near the ancient fortified city of Mukawir, located about 20 kilometers south of Amman on the western bank of the Jordan River. The museum is a cultural and educational facility with a wide variety of exhibits related to the ancient history of the area. The main building of the museum is a two-story building which houses a hall, library, auditorium, laboratories, and a number of exhibition rooms dedicated to specific topics. Exhibits include artifacts from the Iron Age, Roman period, Byzantine era, as well as items from the Islamic period. Other exhibits focus on local handicrafts and crafts of traditional regional and Arab culture. Guided tours are available for visitors to explore the site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Jordan
Prominent Features:

1. The Mukawir Museum is located in the city of Karak, Jordan, near the ruins of the ancient city of Machaerus. 2. The museum houses a remarkable collection of artifacts from many periods of Jordanian history, including the Roman, Crusader and Islamic eras. 3. Visitors can explore the rich history of Karak and Machaerus through beautiful artifacts and displays, including pottery, coins, and other archaeological finds. 4. The museum also houses artifacts from Jordan’s early Bedouin era, such as colorful textiles and jewelry. 5. The museum is home to a stunning painting depicting the martyrdom of John the Baptist, said to have taken place at the nearby castle. 6. The museum is open every day from 8am until 4pm and entry is free. This national monument of Jordan portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

Mukawir, or Machaerus as it is sometimes referred to, is the oldest museum in Jordan. The ancient citadel is situated in Madaba Governorate, on the Dead Sea coast, about 65 kilometers south of Amman. It is believed to be the site of the executions of John the Baptist and Mariam, the daughter of Herod the Great. The first archaeological excavations of Mukawir were conducted by the Byzantine Era (395-636 AD). They found the ruins of a large Byzantine fortress and a Byzantine chapel and baptistery. These discoveries draw attention to the belief that the site had an important role in early Christianity. In the 19th century, the ruins remained largely unexplored until the Jordanian Department of Antiquities, with the help of Italian researchers, initiated excavation and restoration of the site in the late 1980s. They uncovered two of the most remarkable remains, Herod’s Thousand Steps and a spring-fed pool, both of which are in the museum today. During the 1990s, further excavations uncovered remains of a church, a Damascus Gate, a watchtower, and a Roman bath. All these discoveries were preserved and are now on display in Mukawir Museum. In 2001, an interactive multimedia display system was installed in the museum to help visitors learn more about the history and culture of Mukawir. The museum also offers tours of its galleries, lectures, and workshops. Today, Mukawir Museum is one of the most popular archaeological sites in Jordan. The presence of the museum at the site allows visitors to appreciate and understand the ancient history of this remarkable site and its historical importance. You must visit one of these historical places in Jordan on your Jordan tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Mukawir Fortress Museum is located on a strategic rocky hilltop overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. 2. Built in the 2nd century AD, the fortress served as a shelter and military stronghold before becoming a royal palace used by various sultans from the 1300s to the 1600s. 3. Mukawir is a Muslim pilgrimage site and place of veneration for the Caliph Muawiyah bin Abi Sufyan, the founder of the Umayyad Dynasty in the 630’s AD. 4. The Mukawir Fortress Museum holds many artifacts from its historic past, including pottery, coins, and other archaeological relics. 5. The museum also features an audio-visual show in which visitors learn about the ancient fortress, its fortifications, and the area’s history. 6. The Mukawir Fortress is also home to several pilgrimage sites, including the tomb of the prophet Lot, which is visited by Christian groups from around the world. Visit one of the famous monuments of Jordan with your friends and family.