An interactive list/map of museums, galleries, art foundations and cultural centers in Jordan
CSBE has developed this interactive list / map of about fifty museums, galleries, art foundations, and cultural centers in Jordan. The list includes the names and addresses of each institution as well as basic information about it.
For the full list (arranged alphabetically), please scroll down.
For the Arabic version, click here.
Amman
Museums
The Archaeological Museum / University of Jordan
The University of Jordan
Tel: +962 6 84 3555, ext. 3412
A small archaeological museum was initially established at the University of Jordan in 1962. The museum was expanded and transferred to its present location in 1986. The museum features exhibition halls, research workshops, photography rooms, and a conservation laboratory.
Children's Museum
King Hussein Park
Tel: + 962 6 541 1479
Designed for children aged 14 and under, the museum’s facilities include an exhibit hall, a multi-purpose hall, a children’s library and IT center, an activity room, an outdoor exhibit area, an outdoor theatre, a museum shop, a birthday room, a café, and a planetarium.
Currency Museum
Central Bank of Jordan, King Hussein St., Downtown Amman
Tel: +962 6 463 0301, ext. 2580
http://www.cbj.gov.jo/Pages/viewpage.aspx?pageID=272
The Central Bank of Jordan exhibits a collection of coins circulated in the historical area of Jordan, including ones from the pre-Islamic, early-Islamic, Ottoman, and modern eras.
The Jordan Ahli Bank Numismatic Museum
79 Queen Noor St., Shmeisani
Tel: +962 6 568 7090, ext. 3729
www.ahli.com/en/jordan/about-us/product/numismatic-museum
The museum collection features over 4500 coins dating as far back as 600 B.C. It showcases valuable Nabataen silver and copper, as well as Umayyad copper coin collections. It also has a collection of Mesopotamian, Phoenician, and Roman coin weights, along with an extensive collection of Decapolis and Provincial Arabia coins, many of which are still unpublished. The museum also has a library dedicated to the topic of numismatics.
Jordan Archaeological Museum
Amman Citadel, Jabal al-Qal'a
Tel: +962 6 463 8795
The Jordan Archaeological Museum was built in 1951 in the Amman Citadel compound. It houses artifacts from numerous archaeological sites in the country. The collection includes ancient items of daily life such as pottery, glass, coins, jewelry, flint and metal tools, inscriptions, and works of sculpture.
Jordan Folklore Museum
The Hashemite Plaza, inside the Roman Theater
www.doa.gov.jo/En/inside.php?src=sublinks&SlID=5172&MlID=5046
The museum was founded by the Department of Antiquities, and officially opened in 1975. It houses items representing the culture of the desert, the culture of the villages, and the culture of the town and city in Jordan. Its collection represents items of daily life from the nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries, such as costumes and utensils used for food preparation.
The Jordan Museum
Ras al-‘Ayn, next to the Greater Amman Municipality headquarters
Tel: +962 6 462 9317
Opened in 2014, the museum is the largest in Jordan and hosts its most important archaeological findings. It presents the history and cultural heritage of Jordan from the Paleolithic era to modern times through three major galleries devoted to archaeology, folklore, and contemporary history.
The Jordanian Museum of Popular Costumes and Traditions
The Hashemite Plaza, inside the Roman Theater
www.doa.gov.jo/En/inside.php?src=sublinks&SlID=5171&MlID=5046
The Jordanian Museum of Popular Traditions was established in 1971. It features works of Jordanian and Palestinian folk heritage.
The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
Husni Fariz St., Jabal al-Luweibdeh
Tel: +962 6 463 0128
The Jordan National Gallery for Fine Arts was opened in 1984. It consists of two buildings, one on each side of the National Gallery Park. The park also takes on the role of a sculpture garden connecting the two buildings.
The museum has one of the most extensive permanent collections of contemporary art from the region found anywhere.
Martyr's Memorial and Military Museum
Al Hussein Sports City, Gate 4
Tel: +962 6 566 4240
The Martyr's Memorial was inaugurated in 1977 by the late King Hussein to commemorate the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the country. It was designed by the late Jordanian architect Victor Adel Bisharat (1920 - 1996). In 2016, the building was renovated by the architectural office Paradigm DH. The museum narrates the sacrifices of Jordan’s soldiers since the Great Arab Revolt up to this day. It also holds personal belongings of Jordan’s late Kings.
Museum of Parliamentary Life
12 Al-Kulliyah al-‘Ilmiyyah al-Islamiyyah St., Jabal Amman
The museum occupies Jordan’s old Parliament building. It functioned as the meeting place for the Jordanian Legislative Council during the early 1940s. It is also where King Abdullah I bin al-Hussein declared the independence of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on May 25, 1946. The museum then functioned as the headquarters for the National Assembly from 1947 until 1978. It is also where King Talal bin Abdullah and King Hussein bin Talal took the oath of office. The museum consists of three parts: The Parliament Hall; the exhibition halls that narrate the story of parliamentary life in Jordan; and the offices of the Head of the Senate, the Speaker of Parliament, and VIP halls.
The Prophet Mohammad Museum at the King Hussein Mosque
Al Hussein Gardens
The Prophet Muhammad Museum, which was opened in 2012, is located in the King Hussein Mosque in al-Hussein Gardens. It includes a number of artifacts connected to the Prophet Muhammad, such as his letter to the Byzantine emperor Heraclius, in which he urged him to convert to Islam; a single hair of his beard; and a sapling of the tree under which he rested on his way to the Levant.
The Royal Automobile Museum
King Hussein Park
Tel: +962 6 541 1392
The Royal Automobile Museum was established in 2003. The museum showcases a wide variety of vehicles including those used by the Sherif Hussein bin ‘Ali, King Abdullah I, King Talal, and King Hussein.
See Amman Exhibition
Greater Amman Municipality, Ras al-‘Ayn
https://www.ammancity.gov.jo/ar/tourism/viewamman.aspx
The main attraction of this exhibition, which was opened in 2011, is a 48 square meter model of Amman.
TIRAZ: Widad Kawar Home for Arab Dress
19 Riyad al-Mufleh St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 6 592 7531
www.facebook.com/pg/Tirazcentre
TIRAZ, which is the home ofthe Widad Kamel Kawar dress collection, features the largest existing collection of Palestinian and Jordanian traditional costumes from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Its collection includes over 3000 costume items, and also weavings, home utensils, and jewelry.
Art Foundations
Darat al Funun
Nadim al-Mallah St., Jabal al-Luweibdeh
Tel: +962 6 464 3251/2
The grounds of Darat Al-Funun, which is affiliated with the Khalid Shoman Foundation for the Arts, encompass a number of older buildings, the earliest of which dates back to the 1920s, as well as the remains of a sixth-century Byzantine church that was built over a Roman temple. The Darat’s exhibitions showcase a wide-ranging collection of contemporary art from the Arab World. The Darat also organizes a wide selection of indoor and outdoor events, including concerts and readings.
MMAG (Mohammad and Mahera Abu Ghazaleh Foundation)
30 ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan St., Jabal Amman
The newly-established MMAG features gallery spaces and a public learning program. Plans are also being made to establish an art school as part of the Foundation.
The Royal Film Commission
5 ‘Umar bin al-Khattab St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 6 464 2266
www.film.jo, facebook.com/FilmJo
Founded in 2003, the Royal Film Commission is a public organization that aims at encouraging people to tell their stories through film, create educational programs, promote film culture throughout Jordan, provide work opportunities in the cinematic field, offer management and support for local and foreign productions, and to position Jordan as a location for international productions. It hosts a program of films and film related lectures, and also houses an extensive film library and a café. It is housed in an the early-1930s Mango House that features panoramic views of downtown Amman and the Amman Citadel.
Art & Culture Centers
The Duke's Diwan
12 King Faisal Street, Downtown Amman
Tel: +962 6 477 5804
This historic townhouse, which dates back to 1924, had served as Amman’s first post office until the late 1940s, the Ministry of Finance until 1948, and the Haifa Hotel until the late 1990s. In 2001, Mamduh Bisharat, who is known as “The Duke” among his friends and acquaintances, restored the house as a Diwan – an open house – showcasing its different historical phases. The house also hosts numerous informal events and concerts.
Jadal Cultural Center
Al-Kalha Stair, Jabal al-Luweibdeh
Tel: +962 79 919 5993
www.jadalculture.com; facebook.com/Jadal.Amman
The space is situated in an older house dating back to the early 1930s. It features a library that is open to the public, a multi-purpose room, and a meeting space. Also, its courtyard houses a small café. Jadal hosts lectures, public talks and discussions, movie screenings, and performances.
Galleries
Dar Al-Anda Art Gallery
3 Dirar bin al-Azwar St., Jabal al-Luweibdeh
Tel: +962 6 462 9599, +962 77 755 7570
Dar Al-Anda includes exhibition spaces and organizes concerts and cultural events within the setting of restored house. It also offers studio spaces and guest quarters for artists-in-residence.
Dar Al-Mashreq
92 Suways St., ‘Abdun
Tel: +962 77 700 2070
www.orientgallery.net
Dar al-Mashreq was established in 1996. It showcases emerging and established Arab artists, and features a permanent collection alongside special exhibitions.
Darat al-Tasweer
Mohammad Iqbal St., Jabal al-Luweibdeh
Tel: +962 79 920 6666
www.facebook.com/groups/darataltasweer
Darat al-Tasweer aims at introducing the art of photography to professionals and amateurs alike. The space features an exhibit hall, a dark room, a studio, a library, and a lecture room. Darat al-Tasweer holds regular photography exhibitions, and organizes courses, workshops, and photography trips.
Duinde Gallery / Salam Kanaan Gallery
24 Rainbow St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 79 555 7346
Jordanian artist Salam Kanaan originally used this building as his own private gallery, with his atelier located downstairs, but gradually expanded its scope to include works by other artists.
Fann wa Chai
25 Kulliyyat al-Shari'ah St., Jabal al-Luweibdeh
Tel: +962 79 808 2004
Fann wa Chai is an art gallery, tearoom, and Internet café. It regularly hosts exhibitions, live music, and poetry readings.
Foresight 32
32 Ibn al-Rumi St., Umm Udhaynah
Tel: +962 6 556 0080
Foresight 32 originally opened as Baladna Art Gallery in 1991, and was the first private art gallery in Jordan. It exhibits local, regional, and international artists, and also offers space for workshops, courses, and festivals in a remodeled 1960s villa.
Jacaranda Images
18 ‘Umar bin al-Khattab St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 6 464 4050
www.jacarandaimages.com; www.facebook.com/JacarandaImages
Jacaranda Images is a gallery dedicated to prints and works on paper. It features works of photography, drawings, etching, lithographs, and screen prints by emerging as well as established Jordanian and international artists.
Nabad Gallery
46 ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 6 465 5084
www.nabadartgallery.com; www.facebook.com/Nabad.ArtGallery
Nabad exhibits contemporary art by emerging and established visual artists from the region and abroad. It is housed in a renovated 1930s residence that provides panoramic views of older Amman.
Nofa Creative Space
31 ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 77 740 1222
www.facebook.com/pg/NofaCreativeSpace
Nofa Creative Space is located in a house that is almost a century old. It features art exhibitions, concerts, as well as lectures, and also is used for personal and corporate events.
Orfali Gallery
46 al-Kufa St., Umm Udhaynah
Tel: +962 6 554 6932
Orfali Gallery features emerging and established artists from the Arab World and beyond.
Wadi Finan Art Gallery
4 Mohammad al-Shabibi St., Jabal Amman
Tel: +962 79 596 6623
www.wfinangallery.com; www.facebook.com/WadifinanArtGallery
Established in 2008, Wadi Finan Gallery showcases works of local, regional, and international artists. It also hosts public exhibitions, workshops, and special community collaborations such as art therapy sessions with refugees and people with disabilities.
Irbid
Museums
Dar al-Saraya Museum
al-Baladiyyah St., Irbid
Tel: + 962 2 724 5613
The Dar al-Saraya archeological museum is located in a building that dates back to the Ottoman period - specifically to the middle of the 19th century - that was originally built as a fortress. Its chronologically arranged exhibits introduce Jordan’s civilization through works of mining, sculpture, mosaics, seals, jewelry, as well as Thamudic and Arabic inscriptions.
Museum of Jordanian Heritage
Yarmouk University
Tel: +962 2 721 1111
The Museum of Jordanian Heritage is located in the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at Yarmouk University. The Museum was opened in 1988 in cooperation with the German Government. It was designed to express the interrelations between archaeology and anthropology, and aims at showing the story and history of mankind in Jordan across the ages.
Umm Qays Archeological Museum
Umm Qays
Tel: +962 79 6716796 www.doa.gov.jo/En/inside.php?src=sublinks&SlID=5161&MlID=5023
The museum is located in the Rusan House within the ancient ruins of Umm Qays. It houses ceramics, tombs, mosaics, columns, and statues dating from the Hellenistic up to the Islamic periods.
‘Ajlun
Museums
‘Ajlun Archeological Museum
‘Ajlun Castle, Ajlun
Tel: +962 2 6420956
Established in 1993 inside one of the halls of the twelfth-century Ayyubid ‘Ajlun Castle (also known as al-Rabad Fort), the ‘Ajlun Archeological Museum showcases artifacts from the Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Byzantine, Crusader, Ayyubid, and Mamluk periods.
Jerash
Museums
The Jerash Archeological Museum
Tel: +96226312267
The Jerash Archaeological Museum was established in 1923 inside one of the vaults of the courtyard of the Roman Artemis Temple. The museum was moved in 1985 to a renovated old rest-house. It is dedicated to discoveries from the Jerash region, and its collections span the archaeological periods in the area, from the Neolithic up to the Mamluk eras.
Zeus Museum
Zeus Museum was founded in 2004, and is funded and supervised by the Louvre Museum. The museum displays special architectural elements of the Hellenistic Temple of Zeus. These have been explored by the Institute Français du Proche-Orient (IFPO), which has been involved in the Temple of Zeus since 1982.
Al-Salt
Museums
Abu Jaber House
Prince al-Hasan bin Talal St., al-Salt
The Abu Jaber House was built between 1892 and 1906. It provides a distinct example of a nineteenth-century merchant residence in the region. Rehabilitation work on the building started in 1999, and it was opened in 2009 as a museum for local history, culture, and trade. The different rooms of the house showcase displays and interpretations that narrate the city of al-Salt. The building also provides remarkable views of the city.
Al-Salt Museum
Prince Hamza St., al-Salt
Al-Salt museum, which is located in a restored Ottoman-era building, covers the local history of the Jordan Valley area. Its exhibits focus on glass and pottery spanning the Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic eras, mostly from around al-Salt, but also from the region. The exhibits in addition showcase examples of local traditional dress, displays on traditional farming activities, and mosaic fragments from churches around al-Salt.
Madaba
Museums
Apostles Church Museum
Al-Nuzha St., Madaba
The ruins of this Byzantine church date back to 568, and it was restored in 1993. The mosaic that adorns the church's floor is known as the "Personification of the Sea" mosaic. It depicts a woman emerging from the sea who is surrounded by mythical aquatic creatures, in addition to rams, bulls, parrots, and exotic vegetation. The church features huge arches that span about sixteen meters.
Madaba Archeological Park
Hussein bin ‘Ali St., Madaba
The Madaba Archaeological Park includes the ruins of several Byzantine buildings. A school specializing in restoring and conserving mosaics also is housed in several buildings adjacent to the park.
The park includes the Church of the Virgin, which has one of the first mosaics in Madaba to be identified by modern scholars (in 1887). The church dates to the late sixth – early seventh centuries, but has components that were added to it as late as 767. The church sits on top of a Roman temple and has a circular plan. The church was abandoned in recent history, and its grounds held several septic tanks installed by residents of Madaba between the 1920s to the 1940s. In 1993, architect Ammar Khammash worked on rehabilitating the Church and covering it with a shelter.
The archaeological park in addition includes the Martyrs’ Church, which dates back to the sixth century, and features a mosaic floor that was damaged by Eastern Church Iconoclasts during the eighth century. Columns, capitals, and bases from a previous Roman structure were reused in the basilica.
The park also showcases what is known as the Burnt Palace, which was discovered after recent excavations revealed parts of several mosaics that decorated its floors. The residence was abandoned after it had burnt down during the Byzantine period.
The Madaba Mosaic Map at the St. George's Greek Orthodox Church
King Talal St., Madaba
This historically significant mosaic floor features the oldest map of Palestine. It has over 150 Greek captions depicting major biblical sites from Egypt to Palestine. It was originally around 15 to 25 meters long and 6 meters wide. It originally contained more than two million stone mosaic pieces.
Madaba Museum / al-Twal House
Haya bint al-Hussein St.
Tel: +962 5 324 4189
The Madaba Museum was established in 1978, and is housed in several old residences built on mosaic floors. It is divided into two units: The Archeological Museum and the Folkore Museum. The two components feature archeological, mosaic, and folkloric collections dating back to the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods.
Mount Nebo Museum
Al-Quds St., Madaba
Tel: +962 77 654 2050, +962 77 654 2056
The small museum is located in a church that is part of a functioning monastery and that is situated on top of Mount Nebo. The church sits on the fourth-century foundations of a former church. The site is believed to be where Moses was shown the Holy Land,and is also believed to be the place of his burial. The museum narrates the history of the church and the site.
Al-Karak
Museums
Al-Karak Archeological Museum
Al-Karak Castle, al-Karak
Tel: +962 6 235 1216
This museum is located in the west wing of the Crusader al-Karak Castle, in a hall that was used during the Mamluk period as living quarters for soldiers. This museum showcases remains that date back to the Neolithic, Moabite, Nabatean, Islamic, and Crusader periods. It was opened in 1981, and was rehabilitated between 2001 and 2004.
Al-Mazar Islamic Museum
Next to the site of the early Islamic battle of Mu’ta near al-Karak
Tel: +962 3 237 0319
Opened in 1973, al-Mazar Museum showcases a collection of architectural pieces, carvings, coins, ceramics, and sculptures dating to the Mamluk period.
Petra
Museums:
Petra Nabatean Museum
Near the Petra Visitor Center, Petra
Tel: +962 79 671 6796
http://www.visitpetra.jo/Pages/viewpage.aspx?pageID=130
The Nabatean Museum comprises three main halls and showcases over 600 artifacts. The first hall introduces Nabatean history as well as geological artifacts from that period. The second hall showcases archeological discoveries dating from the end of the first century BC until the sixth century AD. The Third Hall contains bronze statues, pottery, trading coins, ornaments, jewelry, and a collection of pottery lamps.
Aqaba
Museums
Aqaba Archeological Museum
King Hussein St., Aqaba
Tel: +962 3 201 9063
Housed in the building known as the Residence of the Sherif Hussein bin ‘Ali, the leader of the Great Arab Revolt, the museum displays collections from the Islamic site of Ayla, with items dating to the Rashidun (the Rightly-Guided), Umayyad, ‘Abbasid, and Fatimid periods.
Click here for additional information about the museum building.