The heritage houses scattered across the villages and neighborhoods of Ajloun preserve the spirit of history and the authenticity of traditional architecture, narrating stories of the past and showcasing a resilient local identity that has endured over time. They stand as a living legacy and a cultural and touristic resource that enhances the development landscape of the governorate.
اضافة اعلان
Researcher in folk heritage Mahmoud Shreideh said that the old houses of Ajloun represent a deep-rooted legacy documenting the simple daily lifestyles of the past. He pointed out that they follow a traditional architectural style devoid of ornamentation, reflecting the economic and social conditions in which people lived at the time.
He added that these buildings require maintenance and restoration to preserve their authenticity and prevent their disappearance, so they can remain an open museum for future generations.
For his part, social activist Abdulrahman Al-Asouli stressed that the heritage houses in towns such as Anjara, Arjan, Ain Janna, and Al-Wahadneh represent a collective memory and a national treasure. He called for combined efforts by the concerned authorities to restore and invest in them as cultural and tourism projects.
Meanwhile, resident Rateb Ananzeh said that these sites could be transformed into guesthouses or tourist attractions, given their unique locations on mountain slopes and overlooking valleys, which grant them a distinctive aesthetic value.
Director of Ajloun Tourism, Firas Al-Khattatbeh, explained that the ministry and the directorate are working to integrate heritage houses into tourism trails and provide technical support for their rehabilitation. He emphasized that preserving these buildings adds a new dimension to the tourism product in the governorate and enhances Ajloun’s position as an important cultural and tourist destination in the Kingdom.
He underlined that heritage tourism constitutes an economic and social driver, and that protecting these houses is a shared responsibility requiring community awareness to safeguard national identity and transform heritage sites into sustainable development opportunities.
--By Ali Fraihat – (Petra)
