Salt: Minister of Culture Mustafa Rawashdeh emphasized the cultural and civilizational responsibility of preserving and restoring old homes, highlighting the importance of documenting their histories as a means to safeguard the nation’s heritage. He spoke at a ceremony honoring individuals and institutions for their efforts in preserving Salt’s architectural heritage, which includes the restoration of traditional houses integral to the city’s identity.
According to Jordan News Agency, Rawashdeh noted that restoring homes in Salt demonstrates care for heritage tied to architecture, its evolution, styles, and the craftsmanship of its original builders. He highlighted that Salt’s architecture is characterized by its stone color, traditional engineering for ventilation and lighting, and distinctive architectural elements such as arches, columns, windows, and doors. These features, along with tiered building layouts, foster unique social patterns through their connections with stairways and the alignment of balconies and windows.
Rawashdeh praised the initiative as worthy of replication nationwide, emphasizing that these houses serve as national memory registers and chronicles of their owners’ lives. He recounted how some houses hosted meetings to support the Palestinian struggle and reconciliation efforts, making them “windows for the nation’s renaissance and advancement.” He expressed gratitude to homeowners who restored their heritage houses, hoping it would become a model across Jordan for preserving homes that embody the nation’s architectural identity and history.
Ahmad Al-Weshah, head of the Jordanian Society for Preserving Heritage, stated that the society, established in 2002, aims to protect Jordan’s heritage in all forms. He highlighted the society’s opposition to demolishing heritage houses, leading to the creation of a special department in Salt’s municipality and a 2005 law banning such demolitions. The society, in collaboration with state and community institutions, successfully registered Salt on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, a collective achievement for Jordanians.
On the second anniversary of Salt’s inscription on the world heritage map, the society launched the “Salt-Authenticity and Heritage” troupe to document Jordanian artistic and musical heritage in a contemporary style, transferring identity from one generation to the next. Al-Weshah described the “Our Heritage, Our Gold” initiative as a new step in community work and a sincere tribute to Salt’s residents, who have shown national spirit by restoring and protecting their traditional homes.
Abdel Ghani Tabbalat, representing the honorees, expressed gratitude to organizers for acknowledging the exceptional efforts in preserving Salt’s architectural heritage, particularly by homeowners who funded restorations, affirming their connection to the city. He warned that modernization and rapid change, with little regard for past heritage, could negatively impact efforts to protect Salt’s unique urban identity.
The ceremony was part of the “Our Heritage, Our Gold” initiative, launched by the Jordanian Society for Preserving Heritage in collaboration with Balqa’s Directorate of Culture, Salt Municipality, the Salt Development Corporation, and the Balqa Directorate of Tourism.