Madaba

> A Detail from one of the many famous mosaics found in and around Madaba.

Just 30 kilometres from Amman, along the 5,000-year-old Kings´ Highway, is one of the most memorable places in the Holy Land. After passing through a string of ancient sites, the first city you reach is Madaba, known as the “City of Mosaics". Best known for its spectacular Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, Madaba is home to the famous 6th century Mosaic Map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. With two million pieces of vividly colored local stone, it depicts hills and valleys, villages and towns as far as the Nile Delta. Mosaic Map of the Holy Land in St. George's Church. The Madaba Mosaic Map covers the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, which is located northwest of the city centre. The church was built in 1896 AD, over the remains of a much earlier 6th century Byzantine church. The mosaic panel enclosing the Map was originally around 15.6 X 6m, 94 square meters, only about a quarter of which is preserved. Other mosaic masterpieces found in the church of the Virgin and the Apostles and in the Archaeological Museum, depict a rampant profusion of flowers and plants, birds and fish, animals and exotic beasts, as well as scenes from mythology and the everyday pursuits of hunting, fishing and farming. Literally, hundreds of other mosaics from the 5th through the 7th centuries are scattered throughout Madaba's churches and homes. In line with Jordan's commitment to restoring and preserving its mosaic masterpieces, Madaba’s extensive archaeological Park and Museum complex encompasses the remains of several Byzantine churches, including the outstanding mosaics of the Church of the Virgin and the Hyppolytus Hall, part of a 6th century mansion. Institute For Mosaic Art and Restoration at Madaba. Close to the Church of the Virgin is the Madaba Institute For Mosaic Art and Restoration, which operates under the patronage of the Ministry of Tourism. The only project of its kind in the Middle East, the Institute trains artisans in the art of making, repairing and restoring mosaics. CONTACT INFO Madaba Institute For Mosaic Art and Restoration P.O Box 1140, Madaba, Jordan 17110. Telephone: + 962 5 3248632 Fax: + 962 5 3240759, Email: Madabamosaic_school@yahoo.com Don’t miss Madaba’s Museum. It contains some outstanding mosaic panels as well as ancient traditional Jordanian embroidered dresses, jewellery and pottery. Mukawir Herod's hilltop stronghold of Mukawir. Within an hour’s drive from Madaba along the picturesque King’s Highway, is Mukawir, Mukawir the hilltop stronghold of Herod the Great. Upon Herod’s death, his son Herod Antipas inherited the fortress and it is from here that he ordered John the Baptist to be beheaded after Salome’s fateful dance. Mount Nebo The Byzantine Church at Mt. Nebo. Also within the area is Mount Nebo, one of the most revered holy sites of Jordan and the place where Moses was buried. A small Byzantine church was built there by early Christians, which has been expanded into a vast complex. During his visit to Jordan in 2001, the Late Pope John Paul II held a sermon here that was attended by some 20,000 faithful. Stand on the platform in front of the church and admire the view. It overlooks the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, across to the rooftops of Jerusalem and Bethlehem and is absolutely breathtaking. Hammamat Ma'in Thermal springs at Hammamat Ma'in. Southwest of Madaba is Hammamat Ma’in, the thermal mineral springs that for centuries have attracted people to come and immerse themselves in the sites’ warm therapeutic waters. There is an excellent 4-star hotel here, which offers indoor and natural outdoor hot pools, a swimming pool and spa facilities. Umm Ar-Rasas Umm Ar-Rasas. To the east of Madaba, is Umm Ar-Rasas, a very ancient site that is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The rectangular walled city is mostly in ruins but does still include several buildings, as well as four churches and some beautiful stone arches. The main attraction is outside the city walls within the Church of St. Stephen, which contains a very large, perfectly preserved mosaic floor laid down in 718 AD. It portrays fifteen major cities of the Holy Land from both east and west of the River Jordan. This magnificent mosaic is second only to Madaba’s world famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. History & Culture Madaba is an ancient town of the Jordanian Plateau, which was resettled by Christian Arab tribes from the Karak region in 1880 A.D. It is now inhabited by Christians and Muslims alike. A great deal of antiquity has been found here, much of which can now to be seen in the Museum and in Archaeological Parks. Modern Madaba is built on an artificial mound which conceals the remains of much earlier sites. The town has a long history, being first mentioned in the Bible at the time of Exodus, about 1200 BC. A tomb of this period has been found in the east of the town. By Maccabaean times (c.165 BC) it had been reoccupied by the Ammonites, but in around 110 BC it was taken, after a long siege, by John Hyrcanus. It remained in Jewish hands until the time of Alexander Jannaeus, and was one of the towns promised to Aretas, king of the Nabataeans, if he helped Hyrcanus II to recover Jerusalem. Madaba Archaeological Park. The Romans made it a typical provincial town, with colonnaded streets, fine temples and other buildings, large water cisterns and a town wall. The town continued to flourish throught the 8th century and beyond. As the date of the mosaic floor in the church is 767 A.D. Traces of the Roman town can be seen in the long stretches of the paved street in Madaba’s Archaelogical Park. Umm ar-Rasas The Tower at Umm ar-Rasas. The Old and New Testaments mention it, the Romans fortified it and the local Christians were still embellishing it with Byzantine-style mosaics well over one hundred years after the beginning of Muslim rule: Kastron Mefaa, modern Umm ar-Rasas, has a long history. The rectangular walled city is mostly in ruins but does still include several buildings, as well as four churches and some beautiful stone arches. The main attraction is outside the city walls within the Church of St. Stephen, which contains a very large, perfectly preserved mosaic floor laid down in 718 AD. It portrays fifteen major cities of the Holy Land from both east and west of the River Jordan. This magnificent mosaic is second only to Madaba’s world famous mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Less than 2km north of the fortified town, the highest standing ancient tower of Jordan puzzles the specialists: a 15 metre high, square tower with no door or inner staircase, now inhabited by birds. Madaba Archaeological Museum Several neighboring houses built on Byzantine mosaic floors in Madaba were purchased by the Department of Antiquities to form the core of a museum for the city. The site was opened in 1987. A number of mosaics from Hesban, Ma’in Qastal, and Mount Nebo are on display in the open courtyard of the museum, along with a collection of lonian and Corinthian capitals, and a number of Byzantine collonettes and altars. The museum also houses several collections of pottery, glass, and Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. A mosaic with Greek writing that reads 'Thalassa', meaning 'Sea'. An important collection Islamic pottery and bronze vessels found inside a room of the Umm al-Walid was conserved at the Institute of Conservation in Geneva and is now on display in Madaba. There is also a collection of silver Ptolemaic coins from Muraba’ at Musa and a collection of gold Umayyad dinars. Madaba is considered important center of mosaic artistry with large numbers of mosaic floors found all over the ancient city, most famous among them is the map of the Holy Land in the modern Greek Orthodox Church. To complement the ancient "school of Madaba", a modern school teaching mosaic conservation was established in the city. Mosaic sites are found surrounding Madaba at Ma’in, Hesban, Siyagha, Mukhayyat, Masuh, Makawer, Nitel, Jamil, and most important at Umm ar-Rasas (ancient Kastorn Mefaa) with its fourteen churches, most of which date to the fifth and sixth centuries AD. The most famous, however, is the Church of St. Stephen dated to the Abbasid period (eighth century AD). Madaba Folklore Museum The Madaba Folklore and Archaeological Museums form one complementary unit. They are both located in the same group of old houses built on ancient mosaic floors. The site was opened in 1978. The museum is composed of: The traditional house: the house is built on Byzantine mosaic floors. These include purely geometric designs, a scene showing two peacocks and two rams surrounding a vessel from which two vine scrolls emanate, and a classical mythological scene depicting a dancing Bacchantes and a nude Satyr. A room measuring 3.58x5.37m, with a mosaic floor decorated with four trees emanating from the corners and meeting a circle in the center containing a human head. The spaces between the trees have the figures of two birds, two rams, two hares and a bull and lion eating grass together. The ethnographic museum is composed of two halls with displays of gold and silver jewellery, cosmetic items, traditional Jordanian costumes, rugs and other traditional household items. Religion & Faith Located just 86 kilometres south of Amman, Madaba has been inhabited for at least 4,500 years and is mentioned in the Bible as the Moabite town of Medeba (Numbers 21:30). After several centuries of Moabite and Nabataean rule, Medeba and the surrounding lands became part of the Roman Province of Arabia with the Emperor Trajan’s conquest of the Nabataean Kingdom in 106 AD. During the 1st century AD, Christianity spread rapidly through the Roman province of Arabia, but the Romans persecuted believers. Several martyrs died for their beliefs in Madaba, under the orders of Emperor Diocletian. In the 4th century, the emperor Constantine converted to Christianity, which then became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire. During the Byzantine era from the 5th century onwards, Madaba had its own bishop, and numerous churches were constructed from the 6th to the 7th century. Mosaic floors were the hallmark of this era and continued to be made in Madaba until the 8th Century. In 749 AD, a devastating earthquake leveled the city and it was abandoned. In 1897, three Christian families, consisting of a group of 2,000 people, migrated to Madaba from the ancient crusader town of Karak. After that event, the city became predominantly Christian. Numerous mosaics were discovered when new housing and churches were built to provide for the new immigrants. Sites of religious interest in and around Madaba include: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Mosaic map of the Holy Land. Situated in the centre of the town, St. George's Greek Orthodox Church contains a remarkable mosaic map that portrays the entire ancient Holy Land dating from 560 AD. The map depicts the Phoenician cities of Tyre and Sidon in the north, to Egypt to the south, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Arabian Desert in the east. The mosaic was discovered in 1897 when a flat area on a hill was chosen on which to build a church. St. George's Church. When the area was cleared for construction, a church foundation and a large mosaic was discovered that represented the floor of an ancient Byzantine church built around 560 AD. The original mosaic was an astounding 15.7x5.6 meters and is at present 15x3 meters. It displays all the major cities and features in the Holy Land with remarkable accuracy. Jerusalem, and all its major features, is the most important city and is placed in the center of the map. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is clearly shown as well as the Cardo Maximus, a colonnaded main street that ran east/west through the center of the Old City. Fragments of the Cardo Maximus, built by the Romans after they destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD, can still be seen in Jerusalem today. There are 157 Greek captions that label most of the important towns and features of the Holy Land at that time. The mosaic also includes the Jordanian towns of Karak and Madaba. Mount Nebo The Brazen Serpent Cross at Mt. Nebo. According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the Hebrew prophet Moses was given a view of the Promised Land that God was giving to the Hebrews. "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho." (Deuteronomy 34:1). According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Moses was buried on this mountain by God himself, and his final resting place is unknown. Scholars continue to dispute whether the mountain currently known as Nebo is the same as the mountain referred to in the Torah. Islamic belief holds that Musa (Moses) was buried not on the mountain but a few kilometres to the west, somewhere beyond the River Jordan. The church at Mt. Nebo. On the highest point of the mountain, Syagha, the remains of a church and monastery have been uncovered. The church, discovered in 1933, was constructed in the second half of the 4th century to commemorate the place of Moses' death. The church design follows a typical basilica pattern. It was enlarged in the late fifth century A.D. and rebuilt in A.D. 597. The church is first mentioned in an account of a pilgrimage made by a lady Aetheria in A.D. 394. Six tombs have been found hollowed from the natural rock beneath the mosaic-covered floor of the church. In the present presbytery you can see remnants of mosaic floors from different periods. The earliest of these is a panel with a braided cross presently placed on the east end of the south wall. The late Pope John Paul II holds a sermon at the presbytery. On March 19, 2000, Pope John Paul II visited the site during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Mount Nebo being one of the most important Christian sites in Jordan). During his visit he planted an olive tree beside the Byzantine chapel as a symbol of peace. In addition to Mount Nebo, there are four other holy sites that were designated by the Vatican as Millennium 2000 pilgrimage sites. The serpentine cross sculpture (the Brazen Serpent Monument) atop Mount Nebo was created by Italian artist, Giovanni Fantoni. It is symbolic of the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (John 3:14). Umm Ar Rasas A rectangular walled city, about 30 kilometres south-east of Madaba, which is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It was fortified by the Romans, and local Christians were still embellishing it with Byzantine-style mosaics well over 100 years after the start of the Muslim Umayyad rule. Most of the city now lies in ruins, but there are several buildings in its eastern part, including churches, a courtyard with a well, staircases and stone arches that have all been excavated and restored. More recent excavations have revealed some of the finest Byzantine church mosaics in the Middle East. St. Stephen's Church Mosaic. Just outside the city walls is the recently unearthed Church of Saint Stephen with its perfectly preserved outstanding mosaic floor, the largest of its kind to be discovered in Jordan and second only to the world famous mosaic map at Madaba. The mosaic depicts the images of 27 Old and New Testament cities of the Holy Land, east and west of the River Jordan. Just two kilometres north of Umm Ar-Rasas is the highest standing ancient tower in Jordan, believed to have been used as a place of solitude by early Christian monks. The tower is 15 metres high and has no door or inner staircase. Today it is inhabited only by flocks of birds. Dhiban Known during Biblical times as Dibon, it was the capital of ancient Moab. It is located about 30 kilometres to the south of Madaba, just before the spectacular descent into Wadi Mujib - aptly dubbed as Jordan’s Grand Canyon. The site comprises two hills: the southern hill, which is now occupied by the modern town and the northern hill which was excavated in the 1950s and 1960s. Excavations indicate that this site was occupied in the Early Bronze Age (c.3000 BC), with no evidence that it was occupied in the Middle and Late Bronze Ages (c.1950-1250 BC). According to the Biblical account, Dibon was captured from the Moabites by Sihon, King of the Amorites (Numbers 21: 21-30), who in turn was overthrown by the Israelites. Omri, King of Israel, subdued Moab and his heirs, until Mesha, the king of Moab who was residing in Dibon, revolted and extended his kingdom northwards as far as Nebo. To celebrate his victory, Mesha built a new royal quarter, which he called Qarhoh (the prominent). It included a highplace for the Moabite god Kemosh, a palace, an acropolis with gates and towers, and houses for his people. He also set up a stela recounting his achievements. The basalt stone stela was discovered in 1868 and now graces the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is the longest known Moabite inscription. The Bible describes King Mesha as a sheep-breeder who “had to deliver annually to the King of Israel a hundred thousand lambs, and the wool of a hundred thousand rams” (2 Kings 3:4). This together with the story of Ruth (Ruth 1: 1-5) attests to Moab’s agricultural productivity. In 731 BC, Moab was under Assyrian domination. Later, Moab joined a general revolt against the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, which led to the state’s destruction in 582 BC, five years after the sack of Jerusalem. For about five centuries the site was deserted. Prosperity returned to Dibon under the Nabataeans, who built a fine temple at the southeastern quadrant of the hill. Also the walls on the summit of the site were rebuilt as was a north gate. Two inscriptions and the remains of a bath indicate there was a Roman garrison here in the 3rd century. Architectural features from the Byzantine and subsequent Ommayad periods include the remains of a 6th century church and two small domed structures. In the 19th century, the village relocated to the south hill, using the ancient tell as a burial ground.

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Dead Sea & Jordan River Valley

> Salt crystals form on the shore of the Dead Sea creating an other-worldly landscape.

The Dead Sea Mud is world renowned for it's properties. Without doubt, the world’s most amazing place, the Jordan Rift Valley is a dramatic, beautiful landscape, which at the Dead Sea, is over 400 metres (1,312 ft.) below sea level. The lowest point on the face of the earth, this vast, stretch of water receives a number of incoming rivers, including the River Jordan. Once the waters reach the Dead Sea they are land-locked and have nowhere to go, so they evaporate, leaving behind a dense, rich, cocktail of salts and minerals that supply industry, agriculture and medicine with some of its finest products. The Dead Sea is flanked by mountains to the east and the rolling hills of Jerusalem to the west, giving it an almost other-worldly beauty. Although sparsely populated and serenely quiet now, the area is believed to have been home to five Biblical cities: Sodom, Gomorrah, Adman, Zebouin and Zoar. If you are planning to combine a visit to the Dead Sea with a diving trip to Aqaba during your stay in Jordan, do the Dead Sea experience first. If you do it the other way around, the small cuts or grazes you may pick up from the coral reefs will soon let you know why this is the better option! Health & Wellbeing Spa at the Dead Sea. One of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world, the Jordanian east coast of the Dead Sea has evolved into a major hub of both religious and health & wellness tourism in the region. A series of good roads, excellent hotels with spa and fitness facilities, as well as archaeological and spiritual discoveries make this region as enticing to today’s international visitors as it was to kings, emperors, traders, prophets and pilgrims in antiquity. Unusually high salt content enables one to float effortlessly. The leading attraction at the Dead Sea is the warm, soothing, super salty water itself – some ten times saltier than sea water, and rich in chloride salts of magnesium, sodium, potassium, bromine and several others. The unusually warm, incredibly buoyant and mineral-rich waters have attracted visitors since ancient times, including King Herod the Great and the beautiful Egyptian Queen, Cleopatra. All of whom have luxuriated in the Dead Sea’s rich, black, stimulating mud and floated effortlessly on their backs while soaking up the water's healthy minerals along with the gently diffused rays of the Jordanian sun. Amman Touristic Beach Situated on the Dead Sea main road, two kilometers after the hotels area . Amman Touristic Beach offers swimming pools, changing rooms for low budget travelers and locals for minimal fees. Amaman Touristic Beach is an ideal location for beach parties and events. For further information contact: 05 3560804 Bethany Beyond the Jordan On the banks of the River Jordan. The site of John the Baptist's settlement at Bethany beyond the Jordan, where Jesus was baptised, has long been known from the Bible (John 1:28 and 10:40) and from the Byzantine and medieval texts. The site has now been identified on the east bank of the Jordan River, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and is being systematically surveyed, excavated, restored, and prepared to receive pilgrims and visitors. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is located half an hour by car from the Jordanian capital Amman. The Bethany area sites formed part of the early Christian pilgrimage route between Jerusalem, the Jordan River, and Mount Nebo. The area is also associated with the biblical account of how the Prophet Elijah (Mar Elias in Arabic) ascended to heaven in a whirlwind on a chariot of fire. (See main Image above). Fun & Adventure The Jordan Valley is a great place for thrill-seekers of all ages and abilities. The hills, valleys and waterways that lead down to the Dead Sea, provide a natural playground for a multitude of outdoor activities, from leisurely walks to exhilarating horseback rides and challenging climbs. Almost all activities take place under Jordan’s strict code of nature conservation which visitors are expected to respect. Hiking in Wadi Mujib The Wadi Mujib gorge is an adrenaline junkies' paradise. Grab a lifejacket and take the plunge. The river is your only path as you trek uphill from the Dead Sea through the narrow, 50 metre high, walls of the Wadi. Your guide will take you through a series of cascading waterfalls, each more challenging than the one before. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) offers many different adventures in the Mujib, its most extensive trek is known as the ‘Lost Trail to the Dead Sea’, a full day expedition that descends from the rugged highlands above Mujib, down to the Dead Sea. Not for the fainthearted! For those who appreciate Mother Nature and the thrill of the outdoors, a hike through the Wadi system may prove to be a challenging exercise rejuvenating the body as well as the mind. Hammamat Zarqa Ma'in Hot Springs Waterfalls at Ma'in. Luxuriate in the hot thermal springs at Hammamat Zarqa Ma’in and Al-Himma and take time out to visit some of the historic architecture of the area. Close by are two sites linked by tradition to Herod the Great. One is the palace at Makawer (machaerus), where Salome traditionally danced, and where John the Baptist was beheaded. King Herod was said to have bathed in its medicinal waters of the springs and people have come here for thermal treatments or simply to enjoy a hot soak, since the days of Rome. Dead Sea Ultra Marathon An international ‘fun run’ that takes place every April and raises money for The Society for the Care of Neurological Patients. Starts in Amman and runs 42 kilometres (26 miles) to the Dead Sea. Fortunately, mostly downhill! Visit the Dead Sea Ultra Marathon History& Culture The Jordan Valley is part of the Great Rift Valley that runs from Turkey to east Africa, formed by a series of geological upheavals millions of years ago. The Dead Sea originally stretched the entire 360 kilometres, from Aqaba, in the south, to Lake Tiberias (the Sea of Galilee) in the north. The therapeutic water of the Dead Sea, combined with the valley’s fertile land and warm climate, have attracted people to live, hunt and farm in the area since the Stone Age. Over 200 archaeological sites have been discovered, but there are believed to be many more. Many of the historical sites around the Dead Sea region are intrinsically linked with biblical events. Religion & Faith Adam in the garden of Eden. For Christians, this region inspires their faith. This is the place where God first spoke to Man. It is the Holy Land where God gave his Ten Commandments to Moses, where Job suffered and was rewarded for his faith, Where Jesus was baptized by John, and where Jacob wrestled with the angel of God. In the Book of Genesis, God refers to the Jordan River Valley around the Dead Sea, as the “Garden of the Lord”, and it is believed to be the location of the Garden of Eden, The infamous cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and many other places were the subjects of dramatic and enduring Old Testament stories, including that of Lot, whose wife turned into a pillar of salt for disobeying God’s will. Twelve hundred years after the death of Moses, the Bible claims that John the Baptist preached and baptized in a place called Bethany Beyond the Jordan. This place has now been identified as Tell a-Kharrar and Elijah’s Hill. Islamic Sites Many of these sites and others in the region are also significant Holy places for Muslims, who can find a plethora of religious destinations that are important to the development of Islam, the religion followed by the majority of Jordanians today. Visit the tombs of the Prophet Mohammad's (PBUH) venerable companions and military leaders who fell in battle or became victims of the Great Plague (Amwas Plague) in the 18th year after the Hijra. Abu Ubeida Amer Bin Al-Jarrah A relative of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and one of the first converts to Islam. He participated in all major events and was one of the ‘Blessed Ten’, to whom the Prophet promised paradise. As supreme commander of the Northern Muslim Army, he successfully conquered Syria and was dubbed by the Prophet as ‘The Trustee of the Nation’. At the age of 58 he fell victim to the Great Plague that spread through Greater Syria. His tomb, in the Central Jordan Valley, is a major Islamic centre with a mosque, library and cultural centre. Mo'ath Bin Jabal A venerable companion and one of the six charged with the task of compiling the Holy Quran during the life of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). He was sent by the Prophet as counselor to the people of Yemen and also took part in the Aqaba Allegiance Convention between the Prophet and his supporters from Medina. He died at the age of 38 in the Jordan Valley, having spent his short life teaching faith and the Holy Qu'ran. A modern building with five domes houses his tomb. Shurhabil Bin Hasanah A venerable companion and one of the early Muslims who fled to Abyssinia. Known for his strong faith, intelligence, bravery and administrative abilities, he participated in the Battle of Yarmouk and the conquest of Jerusalem. He also commanded the army assigned to the conquest of Jordan. He later became the governor of a province in Greater Syria. He died from the plague on the same day as the venerable companion, Abu Ubeida Amer bin Al-Jarrah. Amir Bin Abi Waqqas A maternal cousin of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and the eleventh man to convert to Islam. He migrated to Abyssinia and fought in the battle of Uhud. He was later entrusted with carrying messages from the commanders of the Muslim army to the Caliph in Medina and became deputy to the venerable companion, Abu Ubeida during his governorship in Syria. His tomb is located within a new building erected on vaults, in the village of Waqqas in the Northern Jordan Valley. Derar Bin Al-Azwar A venerable companion of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). He was a poet and fierce warrior, who fought in the wars of Apostasy and took part in the conquest of Greater Syria, alongside his distinguished sister, Khawlah bint Al-Azwar. A victim of the Great Plague, he died in the 18th year after the Hijra. His tomb is located in a mosque superimposed by a dome, in the town of Deir ‘Alla. Bethany Beyond the Jordan The River Jordan, where Jesus was baptized. The Bible claims that John preached and baptised in a place called Bethany Beyond the Jordan, which Byzantine and Medieval texts, as well as modern archaeology identify as the site called Tell a-Kharrar and Elijah’s Hill. Stunning archaeological discoveries since 1996 reveal pottery, coins and architectural remains from a 5th century Byzantine monastery. Baptism pool. They also reveal an earlier 3rd century building with fine mosaics and what is known as a Christian ‘prayer hall’. If this is correct, it might be one of the earliest Christian prayer facilities anywhere in the world. Also identified is the cave where John the Baptist lived, according to numerous Byzantine pilgrims’ texts. The cave was turned into a church and a freshwater channel running from the cave, purportedly used by John for baptising, can still be visited today. For more information on Bethany Beyond the Jordan, please click here to visit the "Baptism Site Commission" website. Madaba A city of mosaics. Madaba Sites include St. George's Church, with a mosaic map of the Holy Land, Madaba Archaeological Park, Madaba Museum, the Church of the Apostles and a Mosaic School. Learn more about Madaba & the Vicinity Mount Nebo The sanctuary at Mount Nebo. The place where Moses was buried and the most revered Holy site in Jordan. When you stand at the top of this mountain, you can see, as Moses did, the vast panorama that encompasses the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, Jericho and Jerusalem. According to legend, this is also the place where Jeremiah hid the Ark of the Covenant. It was a place of pilgrimage for early Christians and Mount Nebo’s first church was built in the fourth century to commemorate the site of Moses’ death. The Serpentine Cross outside the sanctuary at Mt. Nebo. Six tombs, from different periods, have been found hollowed out of the rock beneath the mosaic-covered floor of the church. In the present presbytery you can see remnants of mosaics, the earliest of which is a panel with a braided cross. The Serpentine Cross, which stands just outside the sanctuary, is symbolic of the brass serpent taken by Moses into the desert and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified. The hilltop where King Herod's palace stood. Mukawir The remains of King Herod's hilltop palace of Machearus still stands. This is the place where Herod Antipas beheaded John the Baptist at the request of Salome. Lot's Cave A Byzantine monastic complex, it included a church with mosaic floors, a reservoir, living quarters, a burial chamber and a cave that appears to have been presented to pilgrims as the place where Lot and his daughters took refuge after the destruction of Sodom. Tell Deir Alla At Tell Deir Alla, excavations have revealed almost continuous habitation from 1600-400 BC. The site contains evidence of metalworking, grain storage farming and seasonal migration, as well as a cemetery. Archaeologists believe this may be the biblical site of Succoth. Tell Saadiyyeh An important walled town for most of the Bronze and Iron Ages (3200-536 BC). It had a large Caravanserai (Inn) in the early Islamic period, and is believed to be associated with the biblical sites of Zaphon and Zarthan. Bab ad-Dhraa and Numeira A circular charnel house at Bab ad-Dhraa on the south east coast of the Dead Sea. Eco Tourism & Nature The Wadi Mujib Gorge. The growing demand on water consumption in the region has seen the natural inflow to the Dead Sea diminish rapidly over the past years. So much so, that there is a risk of the sea drying up altogether within the next 50 years. This would be a devastating loss, not only for tourism and the economy, but also for the loss of the Dead Sea’s unique properties, the surrounding environment and its flora and fauna. To combat this critical situation, plans are being made to transport water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The operation, known as ‘Peace Conduit’ since it involves the cooperation of Jordan, Israel and Palestine, aims at bringing 1.8 billion cubic metres of water annually to the Dead Sea. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is deeply involved in the protection of wildlife and habitats within the area and has received international acclaim for its pioneering work in developing nature-based businesses for local people. Mujib Nature Reserve Sedimentary build-up at the point where Wadi Mujib meets the Dead Sea. The Mujib Nature Reserve is the lowest-altitude nature reserve in the world, with its spectacular array of scenery near the East coast of the Dead Sea. The reserve is located within the deep Wadi Mujib gorge which enters the Dead Sea at 410m below sea level. The reserve extends to the Karak and Madaba mountains to the North and South, reaching 900m above sea level in some places. This 1,300m variation in elevation, combined with the valley's year-round water flow from seven tributaries, means that the Wadi Mujib enjoys a magnificent biodiversity that is still being explored and documented today. Sure-footed Nubian Ibex. Over 420 species of plants, 102 species of permanent and migratory birds and10 species of carnivore including the Red Fox, Blandford Fox, Hyena, Jackal, Wild Cat, Caracal, Badger, Mongoose, Wolf and Arabian Leopard have been recorded to date. Some of the remote mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach, offering a safe haven to various species of cats, goats and other mountain animals. The Caracal. Mujib's sandstone cliffs are an ideal habitat for one of the most beautiful mountain goats in the world, the Nubian Ibex. The natural Ibex herds have declined over the years due to over hunting, prompting Jordan's Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to establish a captive-breeding programme for the Ibex within the Mujib Nature Reserve. Mujib is also home to carnivorous species such as the Caracal; a medium-sized cat distinguished by its black and white ear tufts. An agile and powerful hunter, the Caracal can be spotted in action in the rocky valley of Mujib, using its amazing jumping power to catch airborne prey. Leisure & Wellness Health & Wellness spas are found in all the major hotels. The unusual attributes of the Dead Sea have been known for centuries. It is the only place in the world where this particular combination of spa benefits exists. Peculiar sun radiation and climatic conditions, enriched oxygen atmosphere, mineral-rich sea salt, thermo-mineral springs, and mineral-rich mud, all offer effective medical treatment and therapeutic benefits that attract visitors from all over the world. The plants that grow at the lakeside, particularly the balsam tree, produce highly valuable and sought-after cosmetics, perfumes and medical substances. Two 5-star resorts offer not only excellent leisure facilities and restaurants but also non-medical, well-being spas, which feature an expansive array of treatments. Dead Sea Treatments Health & Wellness spas are found in all the major hotels. The therapeutic benefits of the Dead Sea have been known to man for at least two thousand years. At 410 metres below sea level, it has a unique combination of climatic conditions and elements; sun, water, mud and air, which have been proven to offer excellent natural treatments for a range of chronic ailments including dematological problems such as Psoriasis, Atopic Dermatitis, Vitiligo and Psoriatic Arthritis, as well as for respiratory conditions such as Asthma, and for many other ailments, including Arthritis, circulatory problems, hypertension, Parkinson’s Disease and some eye problems. Today, thousands of people from all over the world come to the Dead Sea to rejuvenate, recover, relax and enjoy its natural benefits. A chain of world class luxury hotel and spa resorts line the coast. These provide superlative accommodation and range of treatments in their spas. The Dead Sea’s clinics specialize in the treatment of skin, joint and eye diseases as well as respiratory and hypertension problems. Each clinic has a team of senior physicians and experts and a fully trained nursing staff. Mud treatment. The Dead Sea's laboratories produce a range of facial mud masks, bath salts, shampoos, cleansers, nourishing creams, moisturizers, hand creams, make-up removers, skin toners, astringents, face washes, bath and shower gels, soaps and sun protection creams. All are produced from the area's natural products, are of excellent quality and are available in outlets throughout Jordan or can be ordered on-line for delivery anywhere in the world, so that visitors can continue to enjoy the benefits of the Dead Sea, long after they have returned home. The Dead Sea Medical Centre is certified by the Jordanian Ministry of Health and the Jordanian Chamber of Physicians for the treatment of skin complaints, physical therapy and rehabilitation. Along the south east coast of the Dead Sea are the sites of Bab ad-Dhraa and Numeira, both plausible candidates for the biblical sites of Sodom and Gomorrah, (In the Book of Genesis, God destroyed these places because He was displeased with the wickedness of the inhabitants). Bab ad-Dhraa was inhabited for about 1000 years during the early Bronze Age. Nomads used this place as a cemetery, burying their dead in multiple shaft tombs and charnel houses. Numeira, 14 km to the south, was a large hilltop walled town that lasted for around a century during the Early Bronze Age period. A 40cm layer of ash indicates that this ancient place suffered a fiery destruction.

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Jordan Artist Tours

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