Tiraz Centre | Amman

Information

Landmark: Tiraz Centre
City: Amman
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Tiraz Centre, Amman, Jordan, Asia

Tiraz Centre is a non-profit cultural institution located in the Jabal Amman district of Amman, Jordan. It houses the Widad Kawar Collection, the world’s most comprehensive archive of Palestinian, Jordanian, and regional Arab traditional dress and textiles.

Visual Characteristics

The facility is situated within a renovated mid-20th-century residential villa constructed from traditional white Jordanian limestone. The interior features climate-controlled galleries with specialized lighting designed to preserve organic fibers and natural dyes. Display cases house over 2,000 items, including intricately embroidered thobes, silver jewelry, and woven domestic textiles.

Location & Access Logistics

The center is located at 19 Riyadh Al-Mufleh Street, situated between the 4th and 5th Circles in Jabal Amman. It is approximately 4 kilometers west of the downtown city center. Visitors can access the site via private vehicle or taxi; limited street parking is available on Riyadh Al-Mufleh Street. Public buses operating along Zahran Street provide access within a 300-meter walking distance.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Established in 2013 by collector Widad Kawar, the center was created to preserve disappearing textile traditions resulting from regional displacement. The collection was built over five decades, beginning in the 1950s, to document the specific embroidery patterns and techniques unique to various Levantine villages and Bedouin tribes.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view permanent and rotating exhibitions focused on the sociological history of Middle Eastern garments. The center offers guided tours detailing the symbolic meanings behind specific geometric motifs. A specialized library is available for researchers focusing on textile history and Middle Eastern heritage.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The building contains a specialized gift shop selling contemporary items inspired by traditional patterns and a small cafe. Public restrooms are available on-site. The facility is equipped with 4G/5G cellular signal. Educational workshops on embroidery and weaving are conducted in dedicated studio spaces.

Best Time to Visit

The center is open from Saturday to Thursday, typically between 10:00 and 18:00. Morning visits provide the quietest environment for studying the intricate details of the textiles. As the exhibits are indoors and climate-controlled, the center is a viable destination throughout the year regardless of external weather conditions.

Facts & Legends

Widad Kawar is known locally as "Umm l-Ghoraz" (Mother of Stitches) for her dedication to the craft. The collection includes rare "Malak" (Queen) dresses from Bethlehem, which were traditionally crafted from silk and velvet and served as the standard for bridal prestige in the early 20th century.