AMMAN — Nestled at the eastern gateway of the city of Karak,
"Ain Al-Sitt" and the Ottoman bridges stand as cultural, historical,
and architectural landmarks. Unfortunately, these structures now exist only as
remnants and memories, victims of time and neglect.
اضافة اعلان
Once an ancient edifice located in the region
known as "Wadi Tawi," "Ain Al-Sitt" was transformed into a
bus depot, obscuring its significance under layers of history, the Jordan News
Agency, Petra reported.
According to researcher Hamed Al-Nawaiseh,
"Ain Al-Sitt" consisted of a flowing perennial spring adorned by a
two-tiered dome structure built by the Mamluks in the year 1200 AD. The first
dome provided shade and purity to the spring, while the second served as a
restful retreat for its visitors.
Six adjacent tunnels
The name "Ain Al-Sitt" originates
from six adjacent tunnels carved into an adjacent rocky mountain slope. Mamluk
rulers repurposed these tunnels as tombs, resulting in the name paying homage
to their sixfold arrangement. While the physical presence of "Ain
Al-Sitt" has been lost to time, these six tunnels remain as silent
witnesses to its past existence.
How it transformed
Scholar Youssef Al-Habbashneh further adds
that "Ain Al-Sitt" occupied the region known as "Wadi
Tawi," extending from the ancient Karak Bridge beneath the castle to the
Al-Hawiyah area. The building stood atop a flowing spring, its legacy
eventually transforming into the old Karak municipal slaughterhouse, later
transitioning into a garage for municipal vehicles and bus parking.
Former Mayor of Karak, Khalid Al-Dmour, urges
relevant authorities to preserve the rich historical and cultural heritage that
has shaped the city throughout the ages. The architectural marvels, be they
ancient buildings, walls, towers, or bridges - such as the Ottoman bridges -
hold immeasurable value.
An effort to restore
He emphasizes the importance of harnessing
the combined efforts of engineers, heritage experts, visual artists, and
tourism professionals to restore these historical treasures, ensuring that they
remain vibrant cultural assets.
In a world where remnants of the past risk
fading into oblivion, the significance of "Ain Al-Sitt" and the
Ottoman bridges transcends time, beckoning to be reclaimed from neglect and
restored to their former glory.
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