Amman, Nov. 18 (Petra) - The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities signed an agreement with the French Embassy on Monday to partially rebuild the stairs of the Temple of Zeus in the ancient city of Jerash.

This agreement is part of the long-standing cooperation between Jordan and France in the field of archaeology, a partnership that has been ongoing since 1982 through the Department of Antiquities and the French Institute for the Near East.

The initiative, which follows French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2022 visit to the Kingdom, aims to reconstruct a portion of the stone staircase in the northern third of the temple's original stairs. The project will also improve the connectivity between the upper and lower terraces of the temple, enhance the pathways inside the temple grounds, and offer training to 20 Jordanian architects in the skills necessary for the restoration and preservation of antiquities.

The total budget for the project is approximately 884,000 euros over two years. The French government will contribute 420,000 euros in the first year and 464,000 euros in the second year, while the Department of Antiquities will provide logistical and technical support valued at JD300,000. The project is expected to be completed within 24 months.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab expressed that the agreement reflects the strong bilateral relations between Jordan and France, emphasizing the ministry's efforts to preserve the rich historical legacy of Jerash and enhance the Kingdom’s tourism offerings.

French Ambassador Alexis Le Cour Grandmaison noted that this agreement is the culmination of decades of dedicated cooperation between the two countries, focusing on one of the Middle East's most significant archaeological sites. He also pointed out that President Macron’s visit underscored the importance of continuing the restoration of this historical landmark.

A steering committee, comprising the Minister of Tourism, the French Ambassador, the Director General of the Department of Antiquities, the French Embassy’s Counselor for Cooperation and Cultural Action, the Director of the French Institute for the Near East, and the project manager appointed by the Institute, will oversee the project's implementation.

Between 1982 and 2010, French archaeological teams carried out significant excavation, restoration, and maintenance work on the Temple of Zeus, one of the two major Roman temples in Jerash, a site that continues to attract attention for its historical and architectural significance.

//Petra// AO

18/11/2024 17:15:49