Saltines of Salt
This article may contain affiliate links where I make a small commission for purchases you make from links that you click from this article. By purchasing through these links, you support me at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support.
(to purchase any of these photography, just click on the image to learn more)
As I walked through Hamam street, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me. Maybe it was the blond hair, maybe it was the big camera strapped around my neck, or maybe it was the fact that I was solo; I’m not exactly sure. However even though the tourist sites of Salt were well marked with signs (a complete oddity so far in my Jordan travels), I felt like I was the only tourist to come through Salt in the last 2 weeks. The brave people would ask “Would you like to have tea with me?”, and the rest of the people would continue to stare.
This was my introduction to the Saltines, the people who inhabited the town of Salt.
Nestled in the hills outside of Amman is the charming town of Salt. An ancient town, Salt was once the most important settlement in the area between the Jordan Valley and the eastern desert. Because of its history as an important trading link between the eastern desert and the west, it was a significant place for the region’s many rulers. Today, it’s set up for tourism, but few people visit.
Salt surprised me on many levels. And since it was a town built on a series of three hills, it actually had many levels to it. The low parts of town contained the markets and the restored buildings. I found shops on Hamam Street charming and clean. I didn’t have to walk far to be invited inside for tea and I ended up spending more time socializing with the locals than taking pictures! After wiggling away from all of the attention and hospitality I was receiving in the shops, I started climbing to see the view for sunset.
Once again the path upwards and the signs were clearly marked. I wandered with no one else in site and slowly took my time examining all of the old buildings with my lens. The yellow sandstone buildings incorporate a variety of local and European styles. Typically, they have domed roofs, interior courtyards and characteristic tall, arched windows. As I continued to climb, kids would stop me and request to have their photo taken and more locals would invite me in for tea; the attention never stopped in Salt.
If you find yourself in Amman, be sure to make a stop in this seldom seen town; it’s different than anything you’ll see in Amman and has a charm that I didn’t feel in any other towns. I can guarantee the Saltines will welcome you with open arms.
(to purchase any of these photography, just click on the image to learn more)
(to purchase any of these photography, just click on the image to learn more)
Beautiful photos! I’m sad I never went to Salt after reading through this. In fact, I don’t remember seeing it in my guidebook, but maybe I overlooked it because no one ever mentioned it to me. Thanks for sharing.
I have to say the same as Lara. I was in Jordan only three months ago and totally missed out on salt. Gald for this post of yours. Next time In visit (because I still need to go to Wadi Rum) I will go to Salt.
It’s easy to miss – it’s a simple little city – but one of my favorite places – mainly because there were so few tourists there, but it was set up well for tourism. They even have a museum of handicrafts that I didn’t even have time to explore. I was too busy drinking tea with the locals! If you go – let me know what you think!
Another beautiful photo essay of what seems to be a fascinating city. Hope we’ll be able to visit this on our own next year.
As you know, i truly know that ‘stand out’ feeling…and my hair isn’t as light as yours! 🙂
Good for you for exploring this gem. Sounds so real and a great place (and people) to take in.
I love the light in the cigarette pic.
Yes – it’s really a shame I don’t smoke as I could have had a great time in that guy’s shop! Instead he had to simply satiate me with tea.
Is its name purely coincidental or does it have something to do with salt (trading route; salt dug up here or whatever)
Mark – that’s a great question – but in all of the reading I did about Salt – the origin of the name never came up. But now you have me curious – I may have to dig deeper!
Its Greek..doesn’t have to do with Salt…glad u had a good time!!
Thanks for the name info! Glad you stopped by and read the article!
Absolutely beautiful and real! They are so close to everyday life, it takes you right there.
Hi,
I’m originally from Salt and I really want to thank you for these great Photos.
Ohhh – so cool that you found my post and liked it. I really loved your town and hope more people go check it out!
The pictures are absolutely stunning! I was in Jordan in 2009 but missed out on this wonderful little town. I’ll be sure to give this a go next time I’m in the country!
These are really amazing photos Sherry!
Thanks so much for stopping by and viewing them!
Loved the post and pics! Especially “Opposites Attract”. Ha. Thanks for sharing! Looking forward to spending some time on your blog.
It is not known when the city was first inhabited, but it is believed that it was built by the Macedonian army during the reign of Alexander the Great. The town was known as Saltus in Byzantine times and was the seat of a bishopric.
Thank Sherry for your nice words about my city, and your more than welcome for a cup of tea any time..
neyyalna ya eben 3ammi, we went famous 😉
Ahhh – thanks! I hope to take you up on that tea offer one day!
Hey Sherry 🙂
Will you please give me the permission to post your page on my account, simply it is all about my country Jordan, and my hometown As-Sallt, so please! will you??
many thanks in advance =)
Hi Yahya – It should be ok as long as you provide a link back to my site and don’t simply cut and paste the article! Which account are you putting it on.
Glad you have enjoyed my writing about Salt and Jordan!
well As-Sallt name came from a romanian origined word which is Saltos, which meant thich forests with high mountains.
Cheers!
correction: thick forests**
Many thanks Sherry, and no m not gonna cut neither change anything m just gonna place you link and page and post it on my facebook account check it now there if you want.
thats my link: http://www.facebook.com/AboAon
Ok – no problem – Share away! Thanks for asking though. I love it when people share on Facebook and Twitter – it helps me reach more people.
Thank you dear. Im proud of our people here in Jordan, of my Sallty relatives and of course of You Sherry.. ALLLLLL THE WAY 😀
Great pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sherry ,
Im originaly from Salt as well 🙂
I would really thank you for this article and your great photos as well..i live outside jordan and i felt happy to see my old town again :)..
I shared your article and website on my facebook so all my frinds see how a nice city it is. Thanks again 🙂
Just stumbled on your blog while researching Salt – going to Jordan in April, thinking of Amman, Wadi Rum, Petra, the Six senses at the hot springs and maybe around Ajlun (oh, and the dead sea). Any way I could drag any recommendations from you? I love your eye, and think I’d share your opinions! Great shots.
I just saw this great overview and photos for As-salt and wanted to share. Being Jordanian from Madaba and to who asks about where the name of Salt came from,..briefly and ot mentioning all of them but it came from the word SALTOS ” check the spelling ” it is a Syriac name that arborescent valley ( vally that has alot of trees ) moreover the place was named SALTA which means stony & boulder place. i quoted this from a great jordanian writer ” Sultan al- Hattab “.
hope you didnt get bored with reading this, and wish you all a happy tourism In Jordan and for those who already did hope you had a remarkable days to tell about in the future 🙂
Thanks for your input! It was great!
I lived in Jordan for 12 years i love Jordan with a passion ,however for some strange reason I over looked the city of Salt ,I drove by so many times ,when I get to Jordan next time I will take time To go and see Salt ,Thanks for the pic .
I went through the old streets of Salt May, 2013 and explored the treasures of this ancient city.I also went up modern Salt The ( vicinity ) Zai, Salalem, Mussallah. um jouzeh Ermaimee. It was a real country side and very pleasant mountains ( Albalqa’ )…
is the high school for girls from 1978 still their?
Sorry – I have no idea.
So I realized a lot must have changed since you were there, but did you spend any nights in town? Any recs on places to stay? It looks like a nice spot to chill out for a few days after a busy travel schedule, but I can’t find accommodation info online anywhere.
No I didn’t stay in Salt. I was staying with a family about 7 miles away from there. Sorry -I’m not aware of places to stay there – but I’m sure there are a few simple hotels. Else you can easily take a bus from Amman and spend the day out there! The buses run there every day.