Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts | Amman

Information

Landmark: Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts, Amman, Jordan, Asia

The Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts is a major art museum situated in the Jabal al-Weibdeh district of Amman, Jordan. It serves as the kingdom's premier institution for the collection and preservation of contemporary art from Jordan, the Arab world, and the developing world.

Visual Characteristics

The gallery consists of three separate limestone buildings surrounding a public sculpture park. The main buildings are characterized by 1950s-era modernism, featuring rectilinear forms, flat roofs, and polished white and grey facades. The interior provides 1,575 square meters of floor space, utilizing minimalist galleries with white walls and professional track lighting. The central park acts as an outdoor gallery, featuring water-conserving landscaping and permanent bronze and stone sculptures.

Location & Access Logistics

The gallery is located on Hosni Fareez Street in the Jabal al-Weibdeh neighborhood. It is approximately 1.5 kilometers west of the Amman Citadel and 1 kilometer north of the downtown Al-Balad district. Most visitors arrive via taxi or ride-hailing services. Street parking in the historic Weibdeh area is limited, though a small dedicated lot is available. The area is highly pedestrian-friendly, and the museum is reachable by a 15-minute walk from the Paris Circle (Duar al-Baris) hub.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The Royal Society of Fine Arts established the museum in 1980 under the patronage of Prince Ra'ad bin Zeid and Princess Wijdan Al-Hashemi. The project aimed to promote cultural diversity and provide a platform for artists from the Global South. A significant rehabilitation of the original 1950s structures and the surrounding park was completed in 2005 to double the exhibition space.

Key Highlights & Activities

The museum houses a permanent collection of over 3,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and video art.

Building 1: Houses the permanent collection and major retrospective exhibitions.

Building 2: Features a dedicated floor for temporary exhibitions and the "Factory" project space.

The Touring Museum: A mobile gallery that brings art to rural Jordanian communities.

Sculpture Park: Visitors can walk through the garden to view large-scale works by international and local sculptors.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Facilities: The complex includes a specialized art library, a conservation lab, and a gift shop.

Dining: A cafe and restaurant are located on the top floor of Building 2, offering views of the city.

Connectivity: Reliable 5G cellular signal is available throughout the site.

Climate: The galleries are climate-controlled, while the park provides shaded seating areas and benches.

Best Time to Visit

The gallery is open Saturday through Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00 (closed on Fridays). During Ramadan, hours are reduced to 09:00 to 14:00. Late morning is ideal for visiting to experience soft natural lighting in the sculpture park. Spring (March to May) is the preferred season for outdoor viewing of the gardens.

Facts & Legends

The museum park is recognized as the first water-conserving public park in the Middle East, specifically designed to use xeriscaping techniques to minimize water consumption in Jordan's arid climate. A verified historical fact is that the collection contains works from over 60 different countries, making it one of the most geographically diverse contemporary art repositories in the region.