Jordan

Globe Trekker Video. 4-episode set on 2 DVD's. 3 Hours. Double-DVD set contains four shows: The Arab Gulf States, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, Israel & the Sinai Desert, and a Short History Special. Known as the "cradle of civilization", the Middle East is the meeting point between Africa, Europe and Asia, and contains some of the most beautiful and mystical scenery in the world. Unfortunately, due to cultural and political complexities, only a handful of visitors get to experience the genuine hospitality of the people and see the region's stunning ancient cities. Traveler Ian Wright starts his journey in Jordan's Wadi Rum Desert, traveling south past the ruins at Petra and then on to Beirut in Lebanon. He ends his journey in Syria at the ancient town of Palmyra. Further south, traveler Megan McCormick visits battle scarred Kuwait before traveling on to Dubai and finally Oman. Justine Shapiro completes the journey traveling through Israel and the Sinai Desert. Along the way... $_$_START_LIST ? Witness a Sufi ritual and the mystical order of the Whirling Dervishes. ? Revel in the festivities of Liberation Day on the streets of Kuwait City. ? Play a round of golf with one of the most flamboyant sheiks in Arabia. ? Spend the night in a stable in Jerusalem. ? Climb Mount Sinai in Egypt. $_$_END_LIST Additional Short History Special Join regular Globe Trekkers Justine Shapiro, Ian Wright and Megan McCormick on a historical whistle stop tour of the Middle East. Follow them discovering the major historic sites that have shaped its empires, religions and conflicts. Approximately 3 hours.

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Jordan is known as The Pearl Of The Orient: a fascinating land with a culture that is thousands of years old, a land of colourful epochs and biblical history, all to be rediscovered in this Hasemite kingdom that was founded in 1946. Pharaohs, Assyrian kings and Persian monarchs once fought for this country. Nabateans, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders and Ottomans, each of them left their traces in Jordan. Amman is Jordan's capital city in which, poverty and wealth live side by side. The King Abdullah Mosque is the largest and, due to its striking blue cupola, the most beautiful mosque in Amman. Although only completed in 1988 it is an important symbol of Islam and five times a day the Muezzin calls to the faithful from its Minaret. In 1900 the Ottoman Sultan ordered the construction of the Hedjaz Railroad. It was designed to unite the Ottoman Empire that had begun to disintegrate as well as to transport Moslem pilgrims to Medina in the Hedjaz Mountains. Around 30 kilometers northwest of Amman is As-Salt that is situated between two mountain slopes. Up until the First World War this city that had a good supply of water and enjoyed a good climate, was the main metropolis of Trans-Jordan. Saladin had this fortress built on a 1,200 meter high hill in 1184. Qal'at Ajlun was meant to be a defence against the approaching Crusaders and also to protect pilgrims on their way to Mecca. At an altitude of 800 meters is a place of great significance for the Jewish and Christian faiths, Nebo Mountain, where God revealed to Moses the Promised Land for the first time after his 40 year journey from Egypt. Near Wadi Musa, The Valley Of Moses, is the fascinating and legendary rose red city of Petra. Its strategic location at the junction of six important caravan routes, including the famous Incense Road, brought much prosperity to the city. The most impressive route to Petra travels through the Siq, a narrow gorge with huge sandstone walls. Jordan is a priceless gem located in the Near East with all the magical romance of the Orient!

DVD. Cities of the World. 60 Minutes. Jordan is a peaceful oasis in the turmoil of the Middle East. As one of the cradles of human civilization and a part of the Holy Land, Jordan has such invaluable monuments as the Roman city of Jerash, or the mystical capital of the Nabateans, or the marvellous Petra, the city carved from red stone. Moses also lies here. One cannot forget the mosaics of Madaba, the national park of Dana, the hot waterfalls of Wadi Zarka and the 70 kilometers long coast of the Dead Sea. The capital, Amman, and Aqaba, which lies on the coast of the Mediterranean See, are real eastern cities with their mosques and bazaars, while the Wadi Rum with is wonderful stone arches and the Red Desert offer tourists different kinds of experience from off road jeep tours to camel trips and Bedouin camps.

DVD. Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. The Jordan Desert is a beautiful, natural landscape and was once home to a legendary and mysterious people that fell into oblivion some centuries ago, the Nabateans, whose realm was at its zenith some two thousand years ago and resulted in some of the most fascinating ruins of antiquity. Due to their remote and obscure location the remains of Petra, a legendary Nabatean city of rock, were for many years merely regarded as a myth and only a few local Bedouin tribes knew of the existence of certain ancient buildings in the south of what is now Jordan. Both El-Barid and Petra were located in a very favourable position at the junction of several ancient trading routes that led from the Arabian Peninsula to as far as Anatolia and into today's Syria and Egypt. Caravan trains brought great wealth to the Nabatean realm. The technical knowledge and achievements of this ancient desert tribe were quite remarkable. Drains that were several kilometres long supplied the local population with fresh water, an essential commodity in the desert. One of the region's most famous natural landmarks is situated in the northern part of the Wadi, Rum, The Seven Pillars Of Wisdom, a striking rock that was named after a novel by Lawrence Of Arabia. Inspired by the enthusiastic writings of the legendary secret agent, film director David Lean decided to shoot the film at the original locations mentioned by Lawrence. The shining colour of the rocks and the fascinating desert landscape of the Wadi Rum have been made famous by the historic film. The conquest of this region by the Arabs in the middle of the seventh century marked the decline of the legendary rock city of Petra. For more than a thousand years the ruins of this ancient civilisation lay hidden beneath the desert sands of Jordan before they once again revealed some of their secrets to a new and fascinated world.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Amman is an historic metropolis in which ancient times and modern life meet face to face and where poverty and wealth live side by side. At first sight the city's ancient roots are not obvious, however, they date back to Biblical times. Abdoun is one of the city's modern city districts. For many years the city's former suburbs have been integrated into the megalopolis thus they now cover several additional hills. The slopes are crowded with modern, bright terraced houses and villas constructed of limestone and a modern infrastructure connects the residential districts with the old town at the foot of the hills. The King Abdullah Mosque is the largest and, due to its striking blue cupola, the most beautiful mosque in Amman. Although only completed in 1988 it is an important symbol of Islam. In 1900 the Ottoman Sultan ordered the construction of the Hedjaz Railroad that was designed to unite the Ottoman Empire that had begun to disintegrate as well as to transport Moslem pilgrims to Medina in the Hedjaz Mountains. The monarchs who ruled over this land have been many and both earthquakes and fire have devastated its buildings. But Amman has managed to survive and now continues to be a prosperous and vibrant metropolis.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Northern Jordan contains many magnificent historic locations including that of Gerasa, today's Jerash, that is one of the most well-preserved metropolises of ancient Rome. Gerasa had its economic and cultural high season in the first century A.D. while under Roman rule. Situated on a small hill, the Temple Of Zeus was built in the years 162 and 163 A.D. The town developed quickly within the union of the Greek Dekapolis, a federation of ten important ancient cites in the Near East and profited from the agriculture of the surrounding area and from ore mining in the nearby Aljun Mountains. This financial success gave rise to the city's large building projects, particularly in the second century A.D. A further remarkable feature of the architecture in Gerasa is the wide and eight hundred metre long street, the Cardo Maximus, once the city's main street. It was originally flanked by columns, five hundred of which have survived. Directly south of the Artemis Temple are the remains of the Sankt Theodor Church that has the three aisled ground plan of a basilica and dates back to the fifth century. At the beginning of the nineteenth century Gerasa was rediscovered by archaeologists. The twentieth century brought with it new excavations that have since returned this amazing ancient city into the full light of day.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The ruins of the Crusader castles of Jordan serve as a reminder of the bloody battles that once took place between the Christians and Moslems and that shook the Near East at a time in history known as The Crusades. Around four kilometres from the small town of Ajlun is Jordan's sole surviving castle, Qalaat Ar-Rabad. It was designed to protect the pilgrims who were on their way to Mecca but was also a symbol of military power aimed well and truly at the Crusaders. The year 1115 marked not only the victory of the Crusaders at the Battle Of Tell Danit but also the beginning of Shoubak's construction. After a siege that lasted eighteen months, Shoubak fell in 1189 to Ayyubiden. Shortly afterwards it was enlarged by the Marmeluccs and in the 19th century the Ottomans moved into the fortress. The most famous of the Crusader castles is situated in the city of Kerak around twenty kilometres southeast of the southernmost extremity of the Dead Sea. The fortress had great strategic importance as those who controlled Al Kerak also controlled large areas of Palestine and an area that extended to the southern section of the Dead Sea. Almost a hundred years after the conquest of the fortress the last French outposts in the Near East were also abandoned and today it is only the mighty and impressive ruins of the Crusaders that have survived: an atmospheric reminder of a glorious and colourful past.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Umm Ar-Rasas, the Kastron Mefa'a of antiquity, is one of the most mysterious archaeological sites in Jordan. Today this ancient settlement is tantamount to a field of ruins. Kastron Mefa'a is divided into three sections. In the northern area is one of the few buildings that has managed to survive in reasonable condition and even now it is unknown how many treasures still lie undiscovered. With the decline of the Roman Empire this military outpost on the edge of the desert was abandoned. Between the fourth and sixth centuries A.D. there were many eremites, men who lived an ascetic life, in this region. They were honoured as mediators between Heaven and Earth. Over the years the buildings here served many purposes and several Bedouin families lived in the ancient ruins right up to the beginning of the twentieth century. The ruins of Umm Ar-Rasas, formerly Kastron Mefa'a provide a fascinating insight into a once forgotten part of Jordan's history that lay hidden beneath the desert sand.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Between the Gulf Of Akaba and the Dead Sea, close to Wadi Musa, the "Valley Of MOSES" in the heart of Jordan and hidden beyond near impenetrable mountains, is the fascinating and mysterious ancient city of Petra. Its strategic location at the junction of six important caravan routes, including the famous Incense Road, brought much prosperity to the city. The almost two kilometre long Siq follows the dried out riverbed of the Musa whose course was redirected by the Nabnataeans in order to protect their capital from dangerous flood waters. A canal that follows the Siq around two metres above ground is a fine technical masterpiece that was also created by the Nabataeans. There are only two routes that lead to the rocky city of Petra a narrow mountain pass in the northwest and, to the east, the sometimes two hundred metre deep Siq Gorge. It is believed that the Treasury, carved out of solid rock walls, was built in the first century B.C. It is the main landmark of the ancient Nabataean metropolis. Six splendid columns form the lower part of the atrium that in common with most of the architecture here has been exceptionally well-preserved.

DVD. Terra Mystica. 26 Minutes. Hidden amid the Wadi Musa, the Valley of Moses in South Jordan, is one of the most fascinating and mysterious ruins on Earth, the legendary rock city of Petra. A desert tribe, the Nabateans, once established a settlement in the shelter of the rocks and founded a splendid royal city that has survived to the present day. For many centuries, their sanctuaries and dwellings that had been carved into the rock fell into oblivion until they were later rediscovered. Several ancient paths lead through one of the most fascinating metropolis' of ancient times and a seemingly hostile desert world of rock, yet full of the fascinating remains a legendary people. Before the Nabateans built this splendid rock city within the desert, they first had to organize a supply of water. With great technical skill, they succeeded in diverting the water from distant springs along the walls of narrow canyons and into the city. Even today, Petra has a unique and magical atmosphere and both the local Bedouin tribes, as well as those who visit, cannot fail but be impressed by it. The legendary rock town of the Nabateans provides a remarkable insight into a bygone epoch of the Near East that continues to be full of historic mystique.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The Jordan Desert contains several mysterious ruins including the legendary remains of the ancient castles of the Umayyad Monarchy. Qasr Al Mushatta is the largest of the Umayyad castles although it gradually fell into ruins and much of it was used elsewhere as building material. No other desert castle was built with such megalomania and it was designed as the winter palace of Caliph Walid The Second. Paved roads have now replaced the former caravan routes. Close to the southern Azraq Amman Road is the quadrate castle of Qasr El Kharaneh. This fortress like building is one of the most well preserved desert castles of the Umayyad and its massive external walls and corner towers give it an awesome appearance. The small bathing castle of Qusair Amra is one of the most beautiful castles in Jordan. Its bathing house uniquely highlights the abundant luxury enjoyed by the former monarchs of the desert. The castle features a number of magnificent and well known wall paintings that depict various bathing and hunting scenes. Today the happy-go-lucky nature of the Umayyad monarchy seems to be far removed from Islam. Indeed, some of the scenes are of a sensual nature. The castles of the Umayyad desert: history, atmosphere and romance!

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. The journey to the desert castles of the Omaijades begins south of the Jordanian capital of Amman close to the Queen Alia Airport. The winter residence of Qasr Mushatta is no more. In spite of its poor condition this desert castle is exceptional among the former residences of the Omayyad monarchy as according to the wishes of Kalif Walid The Second the Qasr Mushatta was meant to outshine all other palaces in respect of both size and splendour. On the southern Azraq Amman Road is the impressive Qasr El-Kharaneh, the most well-preserved desert castle in Jordan. Some of its architectural features such as the Mesopotamian walls and decorative elements of the upper section indicate Persian influence. Azraq is located a hundred kilometres east of Amman on the edge of a sandy desert. Even today the Qasr Al Azraq Castle impresses with its dark basalt stone. It is more like a fortress than a noble residence and is believed to date back to Roman times and Emperor Septimius Severus. Entrance to the Qasr Al-Hallabat Mosque was highly restricted and only the caliph and members of his court were allowed to enter. Nevertheless, the Omayyad monarchs were not as religious as they made out. In fact the opposite was true as their desert castles often featured wild festivities! Any journey to the ancient and mysterious Ommayad kingdom with its fairy-tale castles and ancient bathing houses is an unforgettable and atmospheric adventure.

DVD. Digging for the Truth. 94 Minutes. In the conclusion of Season 2, host Josh Bernstein uncovers what could be the true Sodom and Gomorrah and sets out into the Amazon in search of lost cities. The Real Sin City: Sodom &Gomorrah Josh travels to Jordan, where nestled near the Dead Sea, two sister cities reveal startling archaeological evidence of a great destruction, and harvests pure sulfur and turns it into brimstone. Lost Cities of the Amazon Following in the footsteps of famed explorer Colonel Percy Fawcett, Josh treks through the dense jungles of Brazil's Mato Grosso region in search of the legendary Lost City of Z.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. Unique cultural treasures and wonderful natural landscapes are to be found along the Kings' Way in the heart of Jordan which is one of the most fascinating roads in the world. The historic Road Of Kings leads to Madaba and is the oldest route to the Holy Land and to Mount Nebo that overlooks the Promised Land and into the colourful desert landscape of Wadi Rum to the Red Sea coast and a fascinating underwater world. The 19th century Sankt Georg Church in Madaba contains one of the most important treasures that dates back to Early Christian times. The 15 metre long and five metre wide mosaic that depicts a map of Madaba was created in the 6th century A.D.and once consisted of more than 2 million square stones. Mount Nebo is one of the most holy places in Jordan and according to legend it was from there that Moses first saw the Promised Land. At the foot of the mountain is the spectacular Jordan Valley and when the weather is fine it is possible to see as far as Jerusalem and Jericho. A visit to Petra is the highlight of any journey through Jordan. The entrance to the legendary capital of the Nabatean realm is by way of the Siq, the dried out river bed of the Musa. The Wadi Rum is not only the largest desert in Jordan, its landscape has also played an important role in the country's cultural history. In the 20th century Lawrence Of Arabia made the desert and the surrounding mountains of the Wadi Rum famous. The Gulf Of Aqaba marks the end of this journey along the Kings' Way as the setting sun provides yet another glorious sight to what has been a truly memorable and atmospheric experience.

DVD. Nature Wonders. 10 Minutes. Around 50 kilometres from the Jordanian city of Aqaba is one of the most fascinating desert landscapes in the world, the Wadi Rum. Despite its desolate terrain and hostile environment, the region was first inhabited several thousand years ago. The beauty of the mountains has inspired several authors, the most famous of whom was Englishman, Thomas Edward Lawrence. At the beginning of the 20th century, Lawrence of Arabia, as he became known, visited the Wadi Rum on several occasions. It is no coincidence that one of the region's magnificent rock formations bears the same name as that given by Lawrence to his famous autobiography, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom. One of the most popular destinations in this region and also one of the most famous landmarks of the Wadi Rum is the imposing rock bridge situated at Djebel Burdah. It is a natural work of art. The Um Fruth Rock Bridge is a further impressive example of the powerful forces of erosion, that for millions of years, have created what is visible today. The thing that makes the Bedouin police a little different is their mode of transport. For centuries, the camel has been the loyal servant of those who inhabit this region. Gone are the days when the Bedouin possessed camel herds that numbered 100,000 and yet, age old traditions still play an important role in the everyday life of the people. The Wadi Rum is well worth a visit!

DVD. Places We Go. 45 Minutes. Travel through one of the oldest civilizations in the world, one that many call the safe haven of the Middle East.. Jordan. From the Dead Sea to rituals in the country’s capital and then off to Lawrence of Arabia country in the Wadi Rum Desert Jennifer and Christi explore every corner of this little country including one of the new 7 Wonders of the World.. Petra.