Jordan News

Today, Wednesday, His Majesty King Abdullah II, accompanied by HRH Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the Crown Prince, visited tourist and archaeological sites in Ma’an Governorate, in the south of the Kingdom.

His Majesty and HRH the Crown Prince visited Ma’an Castle, which was built between 1520 and 1566 AD, and was converted last year into a heritage museum, with the aim of preserving the region’s heritage and enriching the tourist experience.

His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince listened to an explanation of the importance of the archaeological museum, and the history of the city through various eras, leading to the Great Arab Revolt and the establishment of the Jordanian state, in addition to explanations and maps through the Shami Hajj.

His Majesty directed the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to work on revitalizing the tourism movement in Ma’an Governorate, to overcome the repercussions of the Corona pandemic.

His Majesty and HRH the Crown Prince also visited the Traditional Crafts Training Center and the Heritage Exhibition of the Ma’an Tourism Directorate, which was established as part of the royal initiatives, with the aim of adding an enhanced product to the Ma’an tourism path, and educating the local community about the importance of the tourism sector.

The center works on training the unemployed in handicrafts, integrating them and permanently involving them in the manufacture and sustainability of Jordanian heritage in general, and the heritage of Ma’an Governorate in particular, with a cultural and touristic nature, which contributes to reducing poverty and unemployment.

The center includes several workshops, some of which are dedicated to wool work, and another to food and popular products, as well as a workshop for straw works, embroidery and flower making, and a workshop for decorating swords and stone works.

His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince toured the old Ma’an market, which was established in the early nineteenth century, and is one of the city’s most prominent landmarks, as it is frequented by residents of the governorate and the surrounding areas.

During the tour, His Majesty the King and HRH the Crown Prince stopped at one of the shops and had a conversation with its owner, who is one of the oldest market traders.

His Majesty was accompanied by Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court Youssef Hassan Al-Issawi, and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Nayef Al-Fayez.