Museums and Art Galleries in Jordan to Visit
There is more to Jordan than its famous monuments, like the ruined city of Petra and the Dead Sea. While these places are essential to understanding the country’s history, culture and architectural heritage, there is much more to uncover. Despite its small size, Jordan has a great number of art galleries and museums that feature various art collections. If you are an art lover planning your next vacation, then you need to add Jordan as one of your destinations. Here is a list of the top 10 museums in Jordan that you won’t want to miss when visiting this wonderful country.
The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is located in the heart of Amman, the capital city of Jordan. The building is a mix of traditional and contemporary architecture and houses a large collection of art, including paintings, sculptures, and craft pieces. The architecture and art inside the galleries were created during the reign of King Hussein and Queen Noor, who was known as the patrons of the arts in Jordan. You can visit this gallery any day of the week between 9:30 am and 4 pm, except on Fridays and public holidays. The admission fee is 15 JD for adults and 10 JD for students and children. The National Gallery is the only museum in Jordan that exclusively houses art pieces. The museum is divided into six rooms where visitors can see an exhibit called “The Artist’s Journey”. This exhibit includes art pieces from different periods, including traditional arts and crafts, modern art, and contemporary art. The gallery also houses a library, a shop, and a cafe that is open for visitors and serves drinks, light snacks, and desserts. The gallery is a must-visit for art lovers and is a great place to begin your tour of the top museums in Jordan.
The Royal Automobile Museum
The Royal Automobile Museum is located in the capital city of Jordan, Amman. The museum was established in 2007 and features a large collection of automobiles that belonged to King Hussein and his wife, Queen Noor. The museum also has a few cars that belonged to the late King Hussein, which are on display. The automobiles in the museum represent different decades, including the 1950s and 1960s. The museum was designed by the architect Joao Correia, and it is a beautiful architectural structure that is built in a contemporary style. The museum is open between 9 am and 3 pm and is closed on Fridays and public holidays. The admission fee is 10 JD for adults, 5 JD for students and free for children below 12 years of age. The Royal Automobile Museum is one of the best museums in Jordan to step into and immerse yourself in a bygone era. The museum houses a large collection of vintage cars, including Cadillacs, Rolls Royces and Bentleys that belonged to the Royal Family. The museum also has a gift shop that sells souvenirs and memorabilia related to the automobiles in the museum. It is a must-visit place for history lovers and automobile aficionados.
The Hashemite Museum
The Hashemite Museum is located in the western city of Salt, which is the second largest city in Jordan. The museum is the only museum in the country that is dedicated to Islamic art. The museum showcases an extensive collection of Islamic art, including sculptures, calligraphy, carpets, ceramics, coins, and other artifacts from different periods. The museum was built in 1944 and was once the private residence of Abdullah al-Husseini, one of the leading figures of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. The museum is open between 9 am and 4 pm, except on Fridays and on public holidays. The admission fee is 6 JD for adults, 3 JD for students, and free for children below 12 years of age. The Hashemite Museum is the only museum in Jordan that exclusively focuses on Islamic art and artifacts. The museum is housed in a beautiful architectural structure that was built in the traditional Jordanian architectural style. It is a must-visit place for those interested in Islamic art and architecture. The museum showcases a large collection of Islamic art, including a papyrus scroll, a 9th-century ceramic cup, a 9th-century silver jug, and a 9th-century silver bowl.
Amman Citadel Museum
The Amman Citadel Museum is located in the heart of the capital city, Amman. The museum is housed in the historic Citadel, which is the largest and oldest structure in the city. The museum showcases a large collection of archaeological artifacts, including ancient pottery, coins, and jewelry. The Citadel was built around the 10th century AD and was used as a fortress by various rulers, including the Ottoman Empire and the Jordanians. The museum is open between 8:30 am and 3 pm, except on Fridays and public holidays. The admission fee is 6 JD for adults and 3 JD for children. The Amman Citadel Museum is one of the top museums in Jordan and a must-visit place for history lovers. The museum showcases a large collection of archaeological artifacts that were found in the city of Amman. The artifacts date back to different periods, including the Iron Age, the Roman Era, and the Islamic period. The museum is beautifully designed and overlooks the city of Amman, which makes it a great place to visit when in the city.
The Islamic Museum of Jordan
The Islamic Museum of Jordan is located in the southern city of Salt, which is the second largest city in Jordan. The museum was built in 1985 and houses a large collection of Islamic art, including antique and modern art pieces, architecture and historical manuscripts. The architecture of the building is inspired by Islamic architecture and is an architectural jewel designed by the famous architect and artist, Isam al-Barqawi. The museum showcases a collection of artefacts that span different periods, including the Umayyad (661-750 AD) and Abbasid (750-1258 AD) dynasties. The museum is open between 8 am and 9 pm, except on Fridays and public holidays. The admission fee is 5 JD for adults, 2 JD for children and free for children below 5 years of age. The Islamic Museum of Jordan is a must-visit place for those interested in Islamic art and architecture. The museum showcases a large collection of Islamic art, including wooden sculptures, ceramics, engraved doors, carpets, glassware, and architectural pieces. It is one of the few museums in Jordan that exclusively focuses on Islamic art, which makes it a must-visit place for history and art lovers.
The Abdullah al-Fayoumah Museum
The Abdullah al-Fayoumah Museum is located in the northwestern city of Salt. The museum was built in honor of Abdullah al-Fayoumah, a famous novelist and writer from Jordan. The building houses a large collection of antique and modern art pieces, including paintings, illustrations, and sculptures. The museum also has a library with a collection of books, journals, and art-related articles. The building is designed in the traditional Jordanian architectural style and overlooks the city of Salt. The museum is open between 9 am and 5 pm, except on Fridays and public holidays. The admission fee is 5 JD for adults, and 3 JD for children. The Abdullah al-Fayoumah Museum is one of the top museums in Jordan and is a must-visit place for art lovers and history buffs. The museum showcases a large collection of antique and modern art pieces, including paintings and sculptures. It is one of the few museums in Jordan that exclusively focuses on art. The museum is a great place to begin your exploration of the top museums in Jordan.
The Royal Society of Fine Arts Museum
The Royal Society of Fine Arts Museum is located in the southern city of Salt, which is the second largest city in Jordan. The museum was built by King Hussein, who was a well-known collector of art and paintings, especially those that depict the culture and architectural heritage of Jordan. The museum houses an extensive collection of paintings and is open between 9 am and 3 pm, except on Fridays and public holidays. The admission fee is 5 JD for adults and free for children. The Royal Society of Fine Arts Museum is one of the top museums in Jordan. The museum houses a large collection of paintings that were created by various artists, including Jordanian artists like Mahmoud al-Majali, Rawand al-Hout, and Amer al-Taweel. It is a great place to understand the culture and heritage of Jordan through its art. It is a must-visit place for art lovers and history buffs.
