Known as Jordan’s forgotten urban jewel, the Old City of As-Salt is considered a very successful example of social, religious, and architectural harmony and mutual understanding in Jordan. Once the capital of the Emirate of Transjordan, the city owes a unique and special character due to its specific urban fabric and architectural style stemming from the attractive honey-coloured local stone.

Within the framework of the global campaign #Unite4Heritage, UNESCO Amman Office and As-Salt Development Corporation joined forces to offer the press and the general public the opportunity to learn and value more the history and rich culture of As-Salt and its inhabitants. The activity included a presentation at the Historic As-Salt Museum, a city tour and a home cooked l lunch, together with the performance of a traditional Salt wedding ceremony.

This activity falls under the #Unite4Heritage initiative which aims at promoting cultural heritage as a platform to foster intercultural and interfaith dialog in the Arab Region. The #Unite4Heritage campaign was launched in Iraq by the UNESCO Director-General Ms. Irina Bokova on March 28 at the University of Baghdad. Born as a movement to protect and safeguard heritage under threat, the initiative has turned into a global call to claim the importance of heritage for all, and especially for youth. #Unite4heritage is powered by UNESCO but voiced by stakeholders from all around the Arab Region and beyond.

This cultural Visit to As Salt aims, therefore, at promoting As Salt’s unique architectural heritage and highlighting the city as a proud example of integration and mutual understanding between Christian and Muslim communities. The visit was attended by different national and international media agencies, general public, the Jordan Photographic Society and students from different universities in Jordan.

The participants could also express their views and impressions on the city and its rich cultural heritage by participating in an online photo contest and by using the UNESCO Amman Office’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

New activities are planned to take place in the upcoming months including a visit to the Baptism Site, “Bethany beyond Jordan”, recently inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List as the fifth site of Jordan.

For more information, please, contact Ms. Nuria Roca at n.roca-ruiz(at)unesco.org