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Temple of Hercules

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Temple of Hercules (Jordan)

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The Temple of Hercules is situated on the highest point of Amman's Citadel hill, Jabal al-Qal'a, and stands as one of the most significant Roman landmarks in Jordan. This monumental sanctuary was constructed during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius between 161 and 180 AD, serving as the religious focal point of the ancient city then known as Philadelphia. Although its footprint measures roughly 30 by 24 meters, archaeological evidence suggests the temple was never fully completed, as several architectural elements remain missing from its upper structure. Today, visitors can see the partially restored Corinthian columns that rise to a height of over 10 meters, dominating the skyline of modern Amman. A particularly famous discovery at the site is a colossal marble hand fragment, believed to have belonged to a statue of Hercules that would have stood over 12 meters tall. The temple complex gives an expansive view of the city and represents a crucial link between the Hellenistic roots and Roman architectural ambitions in the Near East during the 2nd century.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C891317212527272521149
Rain mm444323114111161835

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Visitors can freely walk among the towering ancient remnants and scattered colossal stones of the temple, offering a profound sense of scale directly overlooking the vistas of the old city below.
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Typical hours
The archaeological site on the citadel hill typically observes standard daytime opening hours, meaning it is usually accessible from early morning until just around the golden hour before sunset.
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Photography
The towering classical columns provide an exceptionally dramatic foreground for landscape photography, especially when capturing the dense urban sprawl of the surrounding hills in the late afternoon.
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Time needed
Taking a leisurely stroll around the immediate ruins themselves requires only about half an hour, but you will likely want to spend more time exploring the broader historical citadel and its museum.
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Combine with
Since it is prominently located on the highest hill in Amman, you can easily combine your visit with other significant nearby ancient structures like the renowned Umayyad Palace and Roman Theatre.
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Getting there
Reaching the elevated plateau usually requires taking a short but steep taxi ride up the winding roads from the lower city center, though energetic walkers can also choose to hike up the stairways.
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Insider tip
Make sure to find the fragmented remains of a colossal stone hand resting nearby; it provides an astonishing perspective on exactly how huge the original ancient statue must have been in the past.

Geography

Coordinates
31.95460, 35.93750

Facts

  • Built between 161 and 180 AD during the Roman occupation.
  • The podium of the temple measures 30 by 24 meters.
  • The reconstructed columns reach a height of approximately 10.5 meters.
  • A giant marble hand fragment suggests a statue 12 meters high.
  • The site shows evidence of being occupied since the Iron Age.
  • It was the primary temple of the ancient Roman city Philadelphia.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Nymphaeum of AmmanNymphaeum of Amman<1 km · WExplore →
King Abdullah I MosqueKing Abdullah I Mosque3 km · SExplore →
Haya Cultural CenterHaya Cultural Center4 km · SExplore →
Ghamadan ParkGhamadan Park9 km · WExplore →
SahabSahab11 km · NWExplore →
Al Hussein Public ParksAl Hussein Public Parks13 km · SExplore →
RusseifaRusseifa13 km · NEExplore →
Wadi as-SirWadi as-Sir14 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Sights in the town Temple of Hercules (8)

Roman Temenos

The sacred precinct of the Temple of Hercules in Amman, lined with columns.

The Byzantine church

Ruins of a Byzantine church on Amman's Citadel Hill.

Temple of Hercules

Historic site in Amman, Jordan, remains of a Roman temple.

Citadel Hill

Archaeological site in Amman, with Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic ruins.

Umayyad Mosque

Archaeological site of an Umayyad mosque on Amman's Citadel.

lmdrj lrwmny `mn m&h🏛 museum

Museum inside the Roman Theatre in Amman, displaying regional finds.

Umayyad Residential Units

Archaeological site of Umayyad-era houses on the Citadel.

Jordan Archaeological Museum🏛 museum

Museum on Amman's Citadel, housing archaeological artifacts from Jordan.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Temple of Hercules located?
It is located on Citadel Hill (Jabal al-Qal'a) in Amman.
What is the most famous photo spot there?
The giant stone hand, likely part of a colossal statue of Hercules.
When should you visit the Citadel?
At sunset, when the light turns the columns golden and you can hear the call to prayer.
Is entry included in the Jordan Pass?
Yes, entry to the entire Citadel site is free for pass holders.
How old is the temple?
It was built during the reign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD).
Temple of Hercules: where is it located?
Temple of Hercules is located in Jordan.
Temple of Hercules: what is there to see?
Highlights include Roman Temenos, The Byzantine church, Temple of Hercules.
Temple of Hercules: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
Temple of Hercules: why is it worth visiting?
The Temple of Hercules is situated on the highest point of Amman's Citadel hill, Jabal al-Qal'a, and stands as one of the most significant Roman landmarks in Jordan.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Amman — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan, spreading across multiple hills.
Sahab — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Sahab
Sahab is located southeast of the capital and serves as a major logistics hub.
Al-Jiza — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Al-Jiza
Al-Jiza forms the southern gateway to the Greater Amman area.
Al-Muwaqqar — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Al-Muwaqqar
Al-Muwaqqar was a magnificent desert palace in early Islamic times.

History & landmarks

Nymphaeum of Amman — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Nymphaeum of Amman
A monumental Roman public fountain located in downtown Amman.
Umayyad Palace — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Umayyad Palace
This ruin complex on the Citadel hill dates from the 8th century.
Abu Darwish Mosque — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Abu Darwish Mosque
This mosque rises on Jabal al-Ashrafiyeh and stands out with its characteristic pattern of alternating black and white stones.
King Abdullah I Mosque — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
King Abdullah I Mosque
A distinctive landmark of Amman, known for its magnificent blue mosaic dome.
Rujm al-Malfouf — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Rujm al-Malfouf
A round megalithic watchtower in Amman, probably built during the Kingdom of Ammon.
Qasr al-Abd — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Qasr al-Abd
A Hellenistic palace near Iraq al-Amir, built from huge stone blocks.
Qasr al-Mushatta — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Qasr al-Mushatta
The ruin of the largest Umayyad desert castle in Jordan.
Qasr Tuba — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Qasr Tuba
This remote desert castle from the Umayyad period consists of an unusual combination of baked bricks and stone.

More places

Amman Citadel — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Amman Citadel
The historic hill of Jabal al-Qal'a features ruins from the Roman, Byzantine, and Umayyad periods.
Roman Theater of Amman — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Roman Theater of Amman
A monumental 2nd-century amphitheater cut deep into the hillside, capable of seating 6,000 spectators.
Amman Plateau — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Amman Plateau
The expansive and rolling plateau upon which Jordan's ever-growing capital was built.
Wild Jordan Center — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Wild Jordan Center
Operated by the national conservation society, this center in Amman promotes eco-tourism.
Haya Cultural Center — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Haya Cultural Center
The Haya Cultural Center in Amman is a pioneer of childhood education in Jordan.
Prince Hashem Bird Garden — Temple of Hercules (Jordan)
Prince Hashem Bird Garden
A cozy, shaded park in the heart of Amman that houses a variety of bird species and playgrounds.
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Ghamadan Park
Also known as the King of Bahrain Kingdom Forest, this park offers extensive wooded areas near Amman.
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Amman Waves Aqua Park
One of the largest water parks in Jordan, offering families a refreshing escape.