The Forgotten Part of the Holy Land/ Ajloun Resort

Why This Project?
Religion and spirituality are still among the most common motivations for travel. The entire country of Jordan is filled with biblical treasures: historic sites marking some of the most significant events in salvation history. In many ways, it’s the forgotten part of the Holy Land, because few people fully understand its significance.
Ajloun is home to a significant places of pilgrimage, tell mar Elias and the lady of the mount church. The Vatican designated Anjara as a Millennium 2000 pilgrimage site. Ajloun accept every year 2000-3000 tourist during the Christian pilgrimage days, This project will be set up in an attempt to encourage leisure and religious tourism to the city and exploration of its attractions, heritage, stunning natural scenery, Its geographic location along with its remarkable weather and unique biodiversity system, represented in the extensive green forest cover and numerous water springs

Statement of Problem
Ajloun is one of the most beautiful cities in Jordan, with ancient historical sites, two of the archaeological sites are designated by the Vatican for pilgrimage and only few people know about them. The governorate is facing many problems such as lack of recreational/residential facilities and there is a clear lack of services in general, for the pilgrims in particular, Pilgrims go to Ajloun and then stay in Amman due to the lack in services in Ajloun.

Program Objectives
For many tourists travel to pilgrimage places is combined with other educational and holiday-type activities found in the immediate area. People travel to a widening variety of sacred sites not only for religious or spiritual purposes or to have an experience with the sacred in the traditional sense, but also because they are marked and marketed as heritage or cultural attractions to be consumed. They may visit because they have an educational interest in learning more about the history of a site.
Since there is not many people know about the two archaeological sites in Ajloun (Tell Mar Elias and Our Lady of The Mount Church), this project will support tourism by focusing on the importance of these sites, by offering spaces to educate people more about the history in the area Also, it will provide a comfortable and spiritual staying for pilgrims.
Also, it will provide spaces that would promote wellness and self-betterment. The project is intended to host a variety of spaces that encourage spiritual grounding within the urban context, which is at times hectic, overwhelming, and spiritually daunting.
It should support the governorate in general, by providing a proper place for tourists from around the world to stay in while enjoying the beauty of nature around them. Also, to learn more about the archaeological sites in general and other places to visit.

Therefore, the project will consist 3 main parts
1- Residential Program
2- Education Program
3- Meditation Program

Architectural Elements
- In Byzantine Churches
1- light was use dramatically to emphasize the Spirituality of light
2- Individual Chapels filled with colored light
3- Mystic ambiance.
4- Small glass and translucent marble windows to prevent glare on east and west elevations
5- Depth by Arcades.
6- High vertical slit windows to light the rays of high rising sun.

- Celebrating Olive trees
- Separated masses to create more integration with nature, to walk through nature

Total Area: 30000 sqm
Built Area 10000 sqm

Site Analysis
- The site is located halfway between the two sites (Mar Elias and Our Lady of thr Mount Shrine) creating a new destination connecting the two sites.
-The site is located along Jordan Trail creating a new landmark in the city of Ajloun,
Also, as Abraham Path enters Jordan it becomes Jordan Trail, Therefore, the site create a new destination in the path for tourists from all the world.
the slope of the site overlooks a fascinating view of Ajloun
-Greenery around site.
- the site is located at a calm area, Away from the Noises
-Ajloun has numerous water springs, and there’s one water spring near the site.

Three Main Target Groups
1- Pilgrims for ( Mar Elias and Our Lady of the Mount Shrine) individually or in groups
2- Tourists
-From Jordan
-From all the world

This project was designed by Zainab Khayyat as graduation project for Bachelor Degree from University of Petra, Supervised by Dr. Hadeer Merza " Deans of Faculty of Architecture ".

The Forgotten Part of the Holy Land/ Ajloun Resort by Zainab Khayyat in Jordan won the WA Award Cycle 29. Please find below the WA Award poster for this project.