3.2. The Kings´ Highway

To see more of all that this ancient land really has to offer requires a journey out of the city and down some of the well trodden roads and trading routes of history, following in the footsteps of the ancients back into time. The Kings' Highway is one such road, one of the oldest trading routes in the world. It ran from Egypt to Babylon through the western hills and plains of Jordan. It has been in continuous use for more than 5,000 years by traders and caravans, armies and conquerors, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and the Armies of Islam.
The name itself comes from a Biblical story in Genesis 14 which tells of an alliance between four kings who used this route to march against the five kings of south-west Jordan.
The road now is well paved and passes through some of the most breath-taking scenery in the Middle East. It snakes through a rich and almost spiritual terrain of ancient remains in the biblical Kingdom of Ammon, Moab and Edom.
Just an hour drive from the capital between the mountains of Moab and Gilhead you can reach the lowest area on the earth´s surface, the Dead Sea.

Madaba: After the Dead Sea a favourite stop is Madaba, "City of Mosaics", thirty kilometres south of Amman. It contains some of the finest Byzantine mosaic in the world. A Moabite town, known as Medeba in the Old Testament, has throughout history been a strong Christian influence in the area. Of great historical importance is the large sixth century mosaic map of Palestine and Egypt, representing the oldest map of the Holy Land in existence.

Mount Nebo: Fifteen driving-minutes from Madaba lies Mount Nebo, sacred to the Moslems, the Jews and the Christians. This is where Moses is said to have seen the Holy Land of Palestine which he would never enter, for he died and was buried at Mt. Nebo. The site is eternally dramatic and moving and excavations are still revealing new facts about a spot that has been revered a holy group for the last 1600 years. A truly unique experience is to have refreshment or an evening meal at Mount Nebo with a remarkable view across the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. With a little luck, on a clear day the spires of Jerusalem are visible in the distance where the sun sets over the hills.

Mukawir: To the south of Madaba is Mukawir with its spectacular panoramic view over the Dead Sea. This is the site of the remains of King Herod's palace where Salome danced the dance of the seven veils and John The Baptist was beheaded.

Wadi Mujib: In Southern Jordan, Karak and Shaubak command your attention. Approaching Karak on the Kings´ Highway, you pass first through Wadi Mujib a precipitous canyon 1000 meters deep, guaranteed to set the mood for your visit.

Karak and Shobak: The Crusaders were in Jordan for nearly 200 years, leaving two especially spectacular remains at strategic points along the King's Highway - the massive 11th Century forts at Kerak and Shobak. Both are defensive walled fortresses encompassing tiered vaults, galleries, chapels, cathedrals, living quarters, wells, and fortification walls pierced by narrow arrow slits with virtually everything still intact.
Kerak and Shobak are ideal places for a stop on the road to Petra. With some advanced planning they can be used for sumptuous banquets in the vaulted stone chambers that were once home to Crusader knights, until the castles were captured and taken over by the medieval Islamic troops who evicted the Crusaders from south Jordan.
No journey down the Kings´ Highway would be complete without a visit to Petra, the ancient metropolis of the Nabateans.