A look around Al Salt, Jordan's new Unesco heritage site - in pictures

  • The ancient agricultural town of Al Salt in the Balaqa highland, west central Jordan, has been designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
    The ancient agricultural town of Al Salt in the Balaqa highland, west central Jordan, has been designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
  • The city is believed to have attracted settlers as far back as the Iron Age.
    The city is believed to have attracted settlers as far back as the Iron Age.
  • Unesco cited the peaceful coexistence of the town's Muslim and Christian communities.
    Unesco cited the peaceful coexistence of the town's Muslim and Christian communities.
  • The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also remarked on the town's striking architecture.
    The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization also remarked on the town's striking architecture.
  • Al Salt is the sixth Unesco World Heritage Site in Jordan.
    Al Salt is the sixth Unesco World Heritage Site in Jordan.
  • The town is renowned for demonstrating the characteristics of tolerance, coexistence and social care among its residents.
    The town is renowned for demonstrating the characteristics of tolerance, coexistence and social care among its residents.
  • Jordan's Minister of Tourism and Antiques Nayef Al Fayez said Al Salt will help to spread a message of peace, tolerance and coexistence to the world.
    Jordan's Minister of Tourism and Antiques Nayef Al Fayez said Al Salt will help to spread a message of peace, tolerance and coexistence to the world.
  • Al Salt's nomination to be named a World Heritage Site was first submitted in 1995, then later in 2017 and finally in 2021.
    Al Salt's nomination to be named a World Heritage Site was first submitted in 1995, then later in 2017 and finally in 2021.
  • Jordan aims to nominate many more archaeological wonders for World Heritage Site status.
    Jordan aims to nominate many more archaeological wonders for World Heritage Site status.
  • Al Salt is the first urban city in Jordan that has been added to the World Heritage List.
    Al Salt is the first urban city in Jordan that has been added to the World Heritage List.
  • Other World Heritage Sites in Jordan include Petra Archaeological Park, Qusair Amra, Umm Al Rassas (all three as archeological sites), Wadi Rum and the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ in Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
    Other World Heritage Sites in Jordan include Petra Archaeological Park, Qusair Amra, Umm Al Rassas (all three as archeological sites), Wadi Rum and the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ in Bethany Beyond the Jordan.
  • Al Salt is built on three main mountains: the cadital, gadaa and salalem.
    Al Salt is built on three main mountains: the cadital, gadaa and salalem.
  • The town's significance as an Ottoman Empire trading hub is reflected in its architecture.
    The town's significance as an Ottoman Empire trading hub is reflected in its architecture.