Aqaba (Fast)
The story of , Jordan’s only coastal city, is a 6,000-year-old narrative of a "Window to the World" that has bridged continents and empires. From its origins as a strategic ancient port to its modern identity as a diving paradise, Aqaba remains a crossroads where history and the Red Sea meet. The Ancient Crossroads
Just outside the modern city center lie the ruins of Ayla , the first Islamic city built outside the Arabian Peninsula, which served as a crucial supply point for pilgrims traveling to Mecca. The Legend of the Arab Revolt The story of , Jordan’s only coastal city,
Aqaba’s modern significance was cemented during World War I. In 1917, Arab forces led by and Auda abu Tayi , famously accompanied by T.E. Lawrence ("Lawrence of Arabia"), staged a daring desert trek to capture the city from the Ottomans. The Legend of the Arab Revolt Aqaba’s modern
Beneath its sands, archaeologists discovered what is believed to be the world's oldest purpose-built Christian church, dating back to roughly 300 AD—predating even the famous churches of Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Beneath its sands