Jordan Folklore Museum | Amman

Information

Landmark: Jordan Folklore Museum
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Jordan Folklore Museum, Amman, Jordan, Asia

The Jordan Folklore Museum is a specialized cultural institution located within the eastern vault of the Roman Theater in Amman, Jordan. It is dedicated to preserving and displaying the traditional heritage of Jordanian and Palestinian cultures.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed within a series of vaulted stone chambers original to the 2nd-century Roman Theater. The interior features exposed limestone blocks, arched ceilings, and dim, controlled lighting to preserve organic artifacts. Exhibits are displayed in glass-fronted wooden and metal cases arranged along the narrow stone corridors of the theater’s substructure.

Location & Access Logistics

The site is located at Al Hashemi Street 91, situated on the right side as one enters the Roman Theater complex. It is 1 kilometer east of the Al-Husseini Grand Mosque. Access is via the main pedestrian plaza of the Roman Theater. Yellow taxis and "service" jitneys provide frequent transport to the downtown Al-Balad area. No dedicated parking exists on-site; visitors must use public lots in the surrounding downtown district.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The museum was established in 1971 by the Department of Antiquities. It was created to document the traditional lifestyles of Bedouin, villager, and urban populations before these customs were significantly altered by 20th-century modernization. The structure itself is part of the original Roman theater built between 138 and 161 AD.

Key Highlights & Activities

Exhibits include a comprehensive collection of traditional costumes, focusing on intricate embroidery and jewelry patterns unique to various regions.

Bedouin Life: Displays of traditional tents (Beit al-Sha'ar), coffee-making tools, and woven rugs.

Handicrafts: Showcases of woodcarving, basketry, and pottery used in daily life.

Musical Instruments: Collections of the rababa, oud, and various percussion instruments.

Photography: Viewing of historical images depicting Jordanian life in the early 20th century.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are located within the Roman Theater plaza outside the museum entrance. The interior vaults offer natural shade and remain significantly cooler than the exterior plaza, though they are not centrally climate-controlled. Reliable 4G/5G cellular signal is available. Food and beverage vendors are located immediately outside the theater gates in the Al-Balad market.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open daily from 08:00 to 18:00 (winter) or 19:00 (summer). Early morning visits (08:30) provide the lowest crowd density and cooler temperatures for the surrounding outdoor plaza. Avoid visiting during the peak heat of the afternoon in July and August.

Facts & Legends

The museum’s location within the Roman Theater means that its walls have survived multiple earthquakes over 1,800 years. A unique historical feature is the inclusion of the "mousabaka" (bridal chest), which illustrates the complex social and economic customs associated with traditional marriage in the region.