King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia tour Salt

AMMAN — King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden on Wednesday visited Salt, and checked on the city’s heritage and tourist landmarks.

The King and Queen of Sweden started their tour by visiting the house of Fatima Zu’bi, who turned her old house into a guest house to receive groups of tourists and prepare food for them, where King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia had lunch, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia then toured Al Hammam Street and stopped at “Abu Hamed’s Shop”, one of the city’s well-known apothecary shops.

The Swedish monarch and his spouse toured Al Ain Plaza, then went up the “Harmony Trail” stairs leading to the Latin Church and the Great Mosque of Salt.

They also visited the Historic Old Salt Museum, Abu Jaber House, and were briefed by Director of the Salt Development Corporation Khaldoun Khreisat on the museum and the headquarters of the Balqa Tourism Directorate, underlining the importance of tourist trail in the city.

Head of the Greater Salt Municipality Mohammad Hiyari  highlighted the municipality’s keenness to protect the ancient historical buildings in Salt, which became a symbol of the city and contributed to its listing on the World Heritage List as a global destination for visitors.

The King and Queen of Sweden were accompanied by HRH Prince Ali, the escort of honour to King Carl XVI Gustaf, HRH Princess Rym Ali, the escort of honour to Queen Silvia, and HRH Princess Dana Firas, president of the Petra National Trust.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia were also accompanied by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Nayef Fayez, Minister of Culture Haifa Najjar, Governor of Balqa Firas Abu Qaoud, and Director of Balqa Tourism Directorate Mahmoud Arabiyat.