Jabal Al-Weibdeh is one of the seven hills of Amman, shining since prehistoric times when ancient empires made it their residential and defensive stronghold, especially the ancient Roman and Greek empires.
Jabal Al-Weibdeh is situated in the heart of Amman, with varied topography between the valley and the mountain. It borders the downtown area to the east, rises towards Shmeisani to the west, meets Jabal Al-Hussein to the north, and connects with Zahran - Jabal Amman - to the south. The integration of Jabal Al-Weibdeh with downtown and Jabal Amman has reinforced its historical and cultural legacy, making it a hub for culture and arts through the revitalization of old buildings and the infusion of various events and activities.
A closer look at the map of Jabal Al-Weibdeh reveals its strategic location and its deserved role as the mountain of culture and arts.
There is no clear narrative explaining the reason behind naming Jabal Al-Weibdeh. Some stories suggest that people used to seek shelter there in winter to escape the cold, later heading to Shmeisani to bask in the sun and warmth. Another tale states that stray animals inhabited Jabal Al-Weibdeh, seeking refuge. It is notable that all explanations revolve around the word "Lweibdeh," but to this day, the true reason remains unknown.
Discussing real estate in Jabal Al-Weibdeh carries a unique flavor distinct from other areas in Amman. Most of the buildings in Jabal Al-Weibdeh feature independent old houses, influenced by the fact that it served as the stronghold for ancient Roman and Greek empires. This historical impact is evident in the designs of the houses, resembling historical buildings or incorporating a small part of them. Some houses consist of independent residential units with spacious external gardens and trees, while others are small houses within a single residential square with ample outdoor space. Despite urban development across Amman, modern construction in Jabal Al-Weibdeh has not competed with the old buildings, as investors have largely focused on renovating and revitalizing historical structures.
However, at Homes Jordan, we leave you the freedom to explore properties for sale or rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh. You might be fortunate enough to find what you're looking for!
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- Apartments for rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh
- Commercial lands for rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh
- Villas for rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh
- Residential buildings for rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh
- Commercial villas for rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh
Most individuals seeking accommodation in Jabal Al-Weibdeh are foreigners coming to Jordan for social and cultural research. The majority of apartments are furnished for rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh. However, residents of Amman may find it challenging to find apartments in Jabal Al-Weibdeh, as most residents are long-time property owners, and visitors may notice several abandoned houses.
Did Jabal Al-Weibdeh attract politicians and intellectuals for residency, or did its calm character mixed with culture and history produce Jordan's constellation of intellectuals, politicians, and academics? In reality, both factors contributed to making Jabal Al-Weibdeh predominantly historical and cultural. Let's take a look at some of the elite who resided in Jabal Al-Weibdeh:
- Mounsif Al-Razzaz: Former advisor at the Ministry of Culture, renowned Jordanian satirical novelist.
- Dr. Suleiman Al-Nabulsi: Former Prime Minister.
- Dr. Abdul Moneim Al-Rifai: Former Prime Minister.
- Dr. Mahmoud Al-Samra: Former Minister of Culture, Jordanian academic who held various positions.
- Husni Freiz: Former Minister of Education, Jordanian educator, and writer.
- President Ali Abu Al-Ragheb.
- Zharab Markarian: Photographer for the late King Hussein and author of "Twenty Years of Royalty."
- Director Aroua Zreiqat.
- Media personality Sawsan Tafahah.
- Dr. Hisham Yaghi, former president of the Jordanian Writers Association in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.
Before delving into the details of the main landmarks of Jabal Al-Weibdeh, let's quickly look at some important features that gave Jabal Al-Weibdeh this significance:
- The Pakistani Embassy, which has now been transformed into a cultural and artistic center for Jordan's heritage.
- The French Cultural Center: The first cultural center in Jordan.
- Jordanian Writers Association.
- Jordanian Artists Association.
- The National Jordanian Museum of Fine Arts.
- Osama Al-Mishini Theater, the oldest theater in Jordan.
- Department of Lands and Survey.
It is worth mentioning that some streets of Jabal Al-Weibdeh have become crowded with visitors and are preferred by many who enjoy the scent of the past. To this day, Jabal Al-Weibdeh attracts residents of Amman, expatriates living in Amman, and tourists. Many old houses have been converted into cultural and artistic cafes, and shops offering traditional products. Walking through the streets of Jabal Al-Weibdeh is considered one of the enjoyable activities, as each street has a story and each house tells various tales.
- Paris Square: Also known as Hawareez Roundabout, as preferred by the residents of Jabal Al-Weibdeh. Its history dates back to the 1950s, where it served as a water tank to supply downtown areas with water. In the late 1960s, the tank was demolished, and in 2003, the site was revitalized by the French Embassy and named Paris Square due to its proximity to the French Cultural Institute, the oldest European cultural institute in Jordan.
- Al-Kalha Stairs: Consisting of 112 steps, it is one of the oldest stairs in Amman, established in the 1930s, connecting Jabal Al-Weibdeh to the downtown area and King Hussein Street (Salt). Al-Kalha Stairs house some extremely old residences belonging to well-known Ammani families, with General Hikmat Mahayyar being one of its former residents. Today, most houses on these stairs have been transformed into cultural and artistic cafes and shops
"Jabal Al-Weibdeh: Heritage and Authenticity (Part 1)"
Jabal Al-Weibdeh, the mountain that never loses its luster! One of the seven hills of Amman, JabalAl-Weibdeh has shone since prehistoric times when ancient empires chose it as their residence and a defensive fortress, especially the ancient Roman and Greek empires.
Situated in the heart of the capital Amman, JabalAl-Weibdeh boasts diverse topography between the valley and the mountain. It borders Downtown to the east, rises towards the Shmeisani area to the west, connects with the Jabal Al-Hussein area to the north, and meets the Zahran – Jabal Amman – area to the south. The integration of JabalAl-Weibdeh with Downtown and Jabal Amman has strengthened its historical and cultural legacy, making it a hub for culture and the arts through the revitalization of old buildings and their rejuvenation with various events and activities.
A closer look at the map of Jabal Al-Weibdeh reveals its strategic location and its suitability to be a mountain of culture and arts.
There is no clear narrative explaining the naming of JabalAl-Weibdeh. Some stories suggest that people used to seek refuge on the mountain during the winter to escape the cold, later moving to Shmeisani for warmth and sunlight. Another narrative suggests that wandering animals inhabited JabalAl-Weibdeh and took refuge there. It's notable that all these reasons trace back to the word "lubd," but the true reason remains unknown to this day.
Discussing real estate in Jabal Al-Weibdeh carries a unique flavor distinct from other areas in Amman. Most buildings in JabalAl-Weibdeh are characterized by independent old houses. This is attributed to the fact that JabalAl-Weibdeh was once the headquarters of ancient Roman and Greek empires, leaving an imprint on the residents' house designs, resembling historical buildings or utilizing a small portion of them. In some cases, the construction consists of independent residential units with spacious external gardens and trees, while other residential units form a cluster of small houses within a single residential square with ample outdoor space. Some houses have a few low-rise floors. Despite urban development across Amman, modern construction in Jabal Al-Weibdeh has not competed with the old buildings in terms of strength. Investors have mostly focused on renovating old buildings rather than engaging in extensive new construction.
However, finding properties for sale or rent in Jabal Al-Weibdeh might be challenging, as most residents are long-time owners. Visitors to Jabal Al-Weibdeh may notice many abandoned houses. Despite urban development across Amman, modern construction in Jabal Al-Weibdeh has not competed with the old buildings in terms of strength. Investors have mostly focused on renovating old buildings rather than engaging in extensive new construction.
People searching for apartments in JabalAl-Weibdeh are often foreigners coming to Jordan for social and cultural research. Most apartments are furnished for rent in JabalAl-Weibdeh. However, locals may find it challenging to find apartments in JabalAl-Weibdeh compared to other areas in Amman, such as Zahran, Abdoun, Dabouq, and Deir Ghbar. Despite hosting ancient educational institutions and cultural centers, JabalAl-Weibdeh may not be as suitable for families and children due to its general cultural character.
Did Jabal Al-Weibdeh attract politicians and intellectuals for residency, or is its peaceful character blended with culture and history the reason it produced a constellation of intellectuals, politicians, and academics? In reality, both factors contributed to Jabal Al-Weibdeh's prominence, making it a center for a distinctive lifestyle different from other areas in Amman. Let's take a look at some of the notable figures who have lived in Jabal Al-Weibdeh:
- Mounir al-Razaz: Former advisor in the Ministry of Culture, a famous Jordanian satirical novelist.
- Suleiman Nabulsi: Former Prime Minister.
- Abdul Moneim Rifai: Former Prime Minister.
- Dr. Mahmoud Samra: Former Minister of Culture, prominent Jordanian academic who held several positions.
- Husni Freiz: Former Minister of Education, Jordanian educator and writer.
- President Ali Abu Ragheb.
- Zohrab Markarian: Private photographer for the late King Hussein and author of "Twenty Royal Years."
- Director Oraib Zarikat.
- Journalist Sawsan Tafaha.
- Dr. Hisham Yaghi, former president of the Jordanian Writers Association in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.
Before delving into the details of Jabal Al-Weibdeh's main landmarks, let's quickly overview some important features that have given JabalAl-Weibdeh its significance:
Also known as Hawawoz Square, a historic site built in the 1950s. Initially, it served as a water tank to supply water to downtown areas. In the late 1960s, the tank was demolished. In 2003, the French Embassy revived the site, naming it Paris Square due to its proximity to the French Cultural Institute, the oldest European cultural institute in Jordan.
Consisting of 112 steps, one of the oldest stairs in Amman established in the 1930s, connecting JabalAl-Weibdeh to downtown with King Hussein Street. Al-Kalha Stairs house some extremely old homes belonging to well-known Amman families. Major General Hakmat Mahayyar was one of its residents. Today, most of the homes on this staircase have been transformed into cultural and artistic cafes and shops selling heritage products.
An old building composed of several houses, constructed in the 1920s in the Venetian architecture style. It was the official residence of the British commander of the Arab Legion at that time, later becoming the Prime Minister's office and subsequently a school for girls before being abandoned in the 1970s. In the 1990s, the building was converted into a cultural tourist center by the Khalid Shoman Foundation, now known as Darat Al Funun, a significant tourist attraction in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.
Established in Jabal Al-Weibdeh in 1998, Dar Al Anda Art Gallery is located in a building dating back to 1929, originally a residence for the Qa'war family. The building was renovated and transformed into an artistic and cultural exhibition space.
An international school with a global presence, its establishment began in various cities around the world since the seventeenth century. In 1948, a decision was made to establish one in Jordan, choosing JabalAl-Weibdeh as its location. It remains a significant landmark in Jabal Al-Weibdeh to this day.
Established in 1948 following the Palestinian catastrophe and their displacement, Luzmila Hospital in Jabal Al-Weibdeh is one of the oldest hospitals in Amman. It was founded to accommodate and treat the injured, with continuous development and updates in medical equipment, attracting patients to this day.
Streets of JabalAl-Weibdeh
It's noteworthy that the majority of the streets in JabalAl-Weibdeh are named after intellectuals, writers, and historical figures who have left a distinctive mark on Arab history in various fields. Some of these streets include:
• Sharia College Street
• Ibrahim Tuqan Street
• Ahmed Shawqi Street
• Hafez Ibrahim Street
• Ibn Tufail Street
• Ahmed ibn Taymiyyah Street
• Al-Akhṭal Street
• Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah Street
• Ibn Asakir ibn Aqeel Street
• Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal Street
• Ibn Asakir Street
• Ibn Hazm Street
• Jarir Street
• Al-Farazdaq Street
• Birma Al-Tunsi Street
• Omar Al-Khayyam Street
• Aisha Al-Ba'uniyya Street
Isn't it worth taking an extended visit to Jabal Al-Weibdeh to explore the properties available for sale or rent there? Feel free to contact the Homes Jordan team for assistance in exploring housing or investment opportunities in Jabal Al-Weibdeh.
*All rights to the article are reserved for Homes Jordan 2024. *The article was written based on reliable sources, including field visits by the Homes Jordan team to areas in Amman, in addition to the following sources:
https://anbaalwatan.com/m/newsid=325411.htm
https://petra.gov.jo/Include/InnerPage.jsp?ID=2244691&lang=ar&name=archived_news
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