A Guide to Religion and Faith in Ahlan Wa Sahlan

Welcome to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, founded by carved from rock over 2000 years ago, it also offers much more King Abdullah I, and currently ruled by King Abdullah II son of for the modern traveller, from the Jordan Valley, fertile and ever the late King Hussein. Over the years, Jordan has grown into a changing, to the remote desert canyons, immense and still. stable, peaceful and modern country. Whether you are a thrill seeker, a historian, or you just want to relax, Jordan is the place for you. While Jordan is known for the ancient Nabataean city of Petra, Content

Biblical Jordan 2 Bethany Beyond the Jordan 4 Madaba 6 Mount Nebo 8 Mukawir 10 Tall Mar Elias 11 Anjara 11 Pella 12 As-Salt 12 Umm Qays 13 Umm Ar-Rasas 14 Jerash 15 Petra 16 Hisban 17 The Dead Sea & Lot’s Cave 18 Amman 20 Aqaba 21 The King’s Highway 22 Letters of Acknowledgement 23 Itineraries 24

Jordan Tourism Board: Is open Sunday to Thursday (08:00-17:00).

1 BIBLICAL JORDAN

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has proven home to some of the most LQpXHQWLDO%LEOLFDOOHDGHUVRIWKHSDVW$EUDKDP-RE0RVHV5XWK(OLMDK -RKQWKH%DSWLVW-HVXV&KULVWDQG3DXOWRQDPHDIHZ$VWKHRQO\DUHD ZLWKLQ WKH +RO\ /DQG YLVLWHG E\ DOO RI WKHVH JUHDW LQGLYLGXDOV -RUGDQ breathes with the histories recorded in the Holy Bible.

7KURXJK WKH ZRUGV RI WKH SURSKHWV $EUDKDP -RE DQG 0RVHV LQ WKH %LEOH V2OG7HVWDPHQWWKLVODQGLVZKHUH*RGoUVWPDQLIHVWHG+LPVHOI WR PDQ +HUH $GDP DQG (YH PD\ KDYH VWRRG LQ WKH IRUPHU *DUGHQ RI(GHQLQDQDUHDDORQJWKHQRUWKZHVWEDQNRIWKH5LYHU-RUGDQQRZ known as Beysan (Beth-shean). When Cain killed his brother Abel and ZDVEDQLVKHGE\*RGWRWKHDUHDkHDVWRI(GHQyKHPD\ZHOOKDYHVRXJKW VKHOWHU DW RQH RI WKH WKUHH VLWHV HDVW RI WKH 5LYHU -RUGDQ ZKLFK ODWHU become known as the ‘Cities of Refuge’.

,WZDVLQ-RUGDQZKHUHWKHSURSKHW0RVHVMRXUQH\HGZLWKWKH,VUDHOLWHV

Aaron’s Tomb where John the Baptist heralded in the New Testament of the Christian

IDLWKDQGZKHUH-HVXV&KULVWWKULYHG7KLVVSLULWXDODUHDZDVNQRZQDVWKH k3ODLQVRI0RDEyLQWKH2OG7HVWDPHQWDQGk3HUDHDyLQWKH1HZ7HVWDPHQW ,WVSDQVDZLGHUHDFKIURPWKH(DVWEH\RQGWKHIDPRXVEDSWLVPDOULYHUWR the West on the shores of the Dead Sea.

2 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM

7UXO\WKHKLVWRU\-RUGDQKROGVLVLPPHQVH7KLV LVZKHUH-DFREZUHVWOHGZLWKWKH$QJHORI*RG ZKHUH/RW VZLIHZDVWXUQHGLQWRDSLOODURIVDOW ZKHUH-REZDVWHVWHGDQGUHZDUGHGIRUKLVIDLWK and where Elijah ascended to heaven. This is the land through which led the Israelites on DID YOU KNOW? In the Book of Genesis, WKHLUpLJKWIURP(J\SWZKHUHKHGHOLYHUHG*RG V God refers to the Jordan /DZ WKH VLWH RI -HVXV  EDSWLVP WKH JDWKHULQJ River Valley around the Dead Sea as the JURXQGV RI WKH oUVW GLVFLSOHV DQG ZKHUH WKH “Garden of the Lord,” +RO\ 7ULQLW\  WKH )DWKHU 6RQ DQG +RO\ 6SLULW  and it is believed to be the location of the manifested itself. Garden of Eden.

,WLVWKHODQGRIPLUDFOHVZKHUH*RGDSSHDUHGWR WKHSURSKHWVLQWKHIRUPRIZKLUOZLQGVDFORXG RI OLJKW DQ DQJHO RU D YRLFH WKDW FRPPDQGHG them to do His will. Here is where Jesus began KLVoQDOMRXUQH\WR-HUXVDOHP Baptism Site

-RUGDQERDVWVVRPHRIWKHZRUOG VHDUOLHVWFKXUFKHVLQFOXGLQJWKHQGRUUG FHQWXU\CSUD\HUKDOO DW%HWKDQ\%H\RQGWKH-RUGDQWKHWKFHQWXU\FKXUFKDW 8PP4D\VDQGWKHUHPDLQVRIZKDWLVEHOLHYHGWREHWKHROGHVWSXUSRVHEXLOW FKXUFKLQWKHZRUOGLQ$TDED7KHWKFHQWXU\%\]DQWLQHFKXUFKRI6W*HRUJHLQ 0DGDEDLVKRPHWRWKHZRUOGUHQRZQHGPRVDLFpRRUPDSRI-HUXVDOHPDQGWKH +RO\/DQG0RVWRIWKH+RO\VLWHVLQ-RUGDQKDYHEHHQLGHQWLoHGDQGH[FDYDWHG and are easily accessible to visitors.

3 BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN

7KHVLWHDFNQRZOHGJHGERWKLQWKH%LEOHDQG%\]DQWLQHDQG0HGLHYDOWH[WVKDV EHHQ LGHQWLoHG WR H[WHQG IURP 7HOO DO.KDUUDU (OLMDK V +LOO  7DOO 0DU (OLDV LQ $UDELF WRWKH-RKQWKH%DSWLVW&KXUFKDUHDRQWKHHDVWHUQEDQNRIWKH5LYHU-RUGDQ Tell al-Kharrar is the same place from which Elijah is believed to have ascended to KHDYHQLQDZKLUOZLQGRQDFKDULRWRIoUH

7KRXJK-HVXV&KULVW VGLYLQLW\ZDVDFNQRZOHGJHGEHIRUHKLVELUWKKHGLGQ WODXQFK his public ministry at Bethany Beyond the Jordan until the age of 30. During his WKUHHGD\VWD\DW%HWKDQ\-HVXVSUD\HGWR*RGIRUWKHoUVWWLPHDQGJDWKHUHGKLV oUVWGLVFLSOHVq6LPRQ3HWHU$QGUHZ3KLOLSDQG1DWKDQDHO

%HWKDQ\IRUPHGSDUWRIWKHHDUO\&KULVWLDQSLOJULPDJHURXWHEHWZHHQ-HUXVDOHP WKH-RUGDQ5LYHUDQG0RXQW1HER7RGD\WKHDUHD V$UDELFQDPHLVDO0DJKWDVq 7KH3ODFHRI%DSWLVP,QVWXQQLQJDUFKDHRORJLFDOGLVFRYHULHVLGHQWLoHGWKLV DVWKHH[DFWVLWHZKHUH-RKQKDGEHHQOLYLQJDQGFDUU\LQJRXWKLVEDSWLVPV3RWWHU\ FRLQVVWRQHREMHFWVDQGDUFKLWHFWXUDOUHPDLQVFRQoUPWKHVLWHZDVXVHGLQWKH HDUO\VWFHQWXU\$'GXULQJWKHWLPHRI-HVXVDQG-RKQ

Bethany Beyond the Jordan

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&ORVHU WR WKH -RUGDQ 5LYHU DUH WKH UHPDLQV RI oYH PHPRULDO FKXUFKHV built by early believers. Records of such churches remained throughout WKH ,VODPLF SHULRGV  D VLJQ RI FRQWLQXHG &KULVWLDQ0XVOLP FRH[LVWHQFH in Jordan. Pope John Paul II visited Bethany Beyond the Jordan during his 0DUFKSLOJULPDJHWR-RUGDQDQGWKH+RO\/DQGDQGLWZDVGHVLJQDWHG as a Jubilee Year 2000 site by the Catholic Church in the Middle (DVWDORQJZLWK0RXQW1HER0XNDZLU7DOO0DU(OLDVDQG$QMDUD

Directions 7DNHWKH'HDG6HD+LJKZD\:KHQ\RXUHDFKWKH6XZD\PHK,QWHUVHFWLRQ WDNHDULJKWWXUQQRUWKERXQGIROORZLQJWKHVLJQVWRWKHVLWH%HWKDQ\LV around 45 minutes away from Amman. For further details please refer to: www.baptismsite.com

Churches at Bethany

5 MADABA

.QRZQ LQ WKH 2OG 7HVWDPHQW DV 0HGHED 0DGDED DQG LWV KLQWHUODQGV DUH located in central Jordan. These lands were featured in narratives related to 0RVHVDQGWKH([RGXV'DYLG VZDUDJDLQVWWKH0RDELWHV,VDLDK VRUDFOHDJDLQVW 0RDEDQG.LQJ0HVKDRI0RDE VUHEHOOLRQDJDLQVW,VUDHO

6RPH RI WKH oQHVW DUW RI WKH HDUO\ &KULVWLDQ FHQWXULHV FDQ VWLOO EH VHHQ LQ 0DGDEDDQGLWVVXUURXQGLQJUHJLRQV%HWZHHQWKHWKDQGWKFHQWXULHV$' the prosperous ecclesiastical center of Madaba produced one of the world’s ULFKHVWFROOHFWLRQVRI%\]DQWLQHPRVDLFVPDQ\RIZKLFKDUHZHOOSUHVHUYHG 6HYHUDOFKXUFKpRRUPRVDLFVFDQVWLOOEHVHHQLQWKHLURULJLQDOORFDWLRQVZKLOH others are displayed in the Madaba Archaeological Park. The park houses -RUGDQ V ROGHVW PRVDLF q D VW FHQWXU\ %& pRRU IURP WKH +HURGLDQ SDODFH fortress at Machaerus.

Mosaic Detail in Madaba

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%XW0DGDED VUHDOPDVWHUSLHFHORFDWHGLQWKH2UWKRGR[ &KXUFKRI6DLQW*HRUJHLVWKHWKFHQWXU\$'PRVDLF PDS RI -HUXVDOHP DQG WKH +RO\ /DQG q WKH HDUOLHVW religious map of the Holy Land in any form to survive IURP DQWLTXLW\ $FFRUGLQJO\ 0DGDED LV GXEEHG k7KH &LW\RI0RVDLFVy DID YOU KNOW? In keeping with Jordan’s Directions commitment to restore Take the Airport Highway south from Amman. After and preserve its masterpieces, Madaba’s DERXW  NP WXUQ ZHVWZDUG IROORZLQJ WKH VLJQV extensive Archaeological Madaba is 45 minutes away from Amman. Park and Museum complex encompasses the remains of several Byzantine churches, including the outstanding of the Church of the Virgin and the Hyppolytus Hall, part of a 6th century mansion.

Saint George church

7 MOUNT NEBO

0RXQW1HERMXVWWHQPLQXWHVZHVWRI0DGDEDE\FDUZDVWKHoQDOVWDWLRQ LQ0RVHV KLVWRULFpLJKWIURP(J\SWWRWKH+RO\/DQG0RVHVDQGKLVSHRSOH FDPSHGkLQWKHYDOOH\QHDU%HWKSHRUyDSODFHORQJDVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKHVLWH known today as Ayun Musa (Springs of Moses).

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Mount Nebo became a place of pilgrimage for early Christians from -HUXVDOHP and a small church was built there in the 4th century to commemorate the HQG RI 0RVHV  OLIH 7KRXJK WKH FKXUFK ZDV H[SDQGHG LQ WKH WK DQG WK FHQWXULHVVRPHRIWKHRULJLQDOVWRQHVUHPDLQ

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,QWKH\HDUWKHODWH3RSH-RKQ3DXO,,FRPPHPRUDWHGWKHEHJLQQLQJRI WKHQHZPLOOHQQLXPZLWKDVSLULWXDOSLOJULPDJHWRWKH+RO\/DQGVWDUWLQJKLV Historical Display visit with prayers in the basilica at Mount Nebo. The viewing platform erected for Pope John Paul’s visit remains and is used by pilgrims to enjoy the same panoramic scene. Mount Nebo was designated as a Jubilee Year 2000 pilgrimage site by the &DWKROLF&KXUFKLQWKH0LGGOH(DVWDORQJZLWK%HWKDQ\%H\RQGWKH-RUGDQ 0XNDZLU7DOO0DU(OLDVDQG$QMDUD

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9 MUKAWIR

MUKAWIR 7KHVW&HQWXU\$'5RPDQ-HZLVKKLVWRULDQ-RVHSKXVLGHQWLoHGWKHDZH inspiring site of Machaerus (modern-day Mukawir) as the palace-fortress of +HURG$QWLSDVWKH5RPDQDSSRLQWHGUHJLRQDOUXOHUGXULQJWKHOLIHRI-HVXV &KULVW,WZDVKHUHDWWKLVKLOOWRSIRUWLoHGSDODFHRYHUORRNLQJWKH'HDG6HD region and the distant hills of Palestine and Israel that Herod imprisoned and EHKHDGHG-RKQWKH%DSWLVWk+HZDVEHKHDGHGDIWHU6DORPH VIDWHIXOGDQFHy Matthew 14:3-11.

/LNHLWVVLVWHUVLWH0DVDGDRQWKHRSSRVLWHVLGHRIWKH'HDG6HD0DFKDHUXV ZDV DOVR WKH VFHQH RI D 5RPDQ VLHJH GXULQJ WKH oUVW -HZLVK UHYROW DJDLQVW Rome. The site is easily reached by car from Madaba.

Mukawir is also one of the designated pilgrimage sites for the year 2000. The top of Mountain of Mukawir overlooks a breathtaking view of the Dead Sea. The summit can be reached after climbing a winding staircase up the mountain.

Directions 0XNDZLULVDERXWNPDZD\IURP0DGDEDDQKRXURQWKH.LQJ V+LJKZD\ Mukawir

10 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM TALL MAR ELIAS, ANJARA

TALL MAR ELIAS $VVRFLDWHG ZLWK WKH 3URSKHW (OLMDK 7DOO 0DU (OLDV LV very close to the ruins of a village known as Listib. It is EHOLHYHGWKDWWKLVSODFHZDVIRUPHUO\7LVKELWKHKRPH RI(OLMDKDQDWLYHRI*LOLDGLQ7UDQVMRUGDQ .LQJV  7KHSUHVHQFHRIWZRFKXUFKHVEXLOWRQWKH7DOO KLOOWRS  DW WKH HQG RI WKH %\]DQWLQH SHULRG VXEVWDQWLDWHV WKH DID YOU KNOW? fact that this was a religious site. Pella is known to have been inhabited for most Tall Mar Elias It is believed that Elijah’s ascension to Heaven in a of the past 6,000 years, FKDULRWRIoUHWRRNSODFHDW:DGL$O.KDUUDULQ%HWKDQ\ mainly due to its strategic Beyond the Jordan. Referred to in the Bible as ‘Barreya’ location at the junction LQ $UDELF C3HUHD  LQ )UHQFK DQG CWKH GHVHUW  LQ (QJOLVK of north-south and east- west trade routes. It was many scholars believe this to be the Holy place that was named ‘Pella’ during the YLVLWHGE\0RVHV(OLMDK-RKQWKH%DSWLVWDQG-HVXV&KULVW Hellenistic period when 7KH VLWH DW 7DOO 0DU (OLDV LQFOXGHV H[WHQVLYH the soldiers of Alexander the Great named their DUFKLWHFWXUDO UHPDLQV VFDWWHUHG DFURVV WKH VXPPLW RI settlements after their WKHKLOOWKDWULVHVDERYH/LVWLEWRWKHVRXWKHDVW leader’s Macedonian birthplace. Directions 7HOO 0DU (OLDV LV DSSUR[LPDWHO\ NP QRUWKZHVW RI Anjara Church $PPDQDQGDSSUR[LPDWHO\NPQRUWKZHVWRI$MOXQ

ANJARA SLOJULPDJHVLWHVIRUWKH

11 PELLA, AS-SALT

PELLA 6RPHRIWKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWHYHQWVLQWKHOLYHVRI,VDDF VWZLQVRQV-DFREDQG(VDX took place in ancient Jordan. The sites of Penuel (modern-day Pella) and Mahanaim were where Jacob stopped GXULQJ KLV pLJKW IURP 0HVRSRWDPLD WR &DQDDQ 7KH\ KDYH ORQJ EHHQ LGHQWLoHG ZLWK WZR VLWHV LQ QRUWKFHQWUDO -RUGDQ 7HOXO HG'DKDE DO*KDUEL DQG 7HOXO HG Dahab al-Sharqi (the eastern and western hills of gold). A massive Bronze and Iron Age temple recently discovered at Pella is thought to be Pella the best-preserved temple from Old Testament times anywhere in the Holy Land. The discovery strongly indicates that Pella is the site of ancient Penuel. ,Q ,VODPLF WLPHV 3HOOD WKHQ NQRZQ DV 7DEDTHW )DKO ZLWQHVVHG D GHFLVLYH EDWWOH between Muslims and Christian Romans.

Directions 7DNH WKH -RUGDQ 9DOOH\ 5RDG QRUWKERXQG UHDFKHG HLWKHU E\ 'HDG 6HD +LJKZD\ WKURXJK1DXURUWKH$UGDURXWHWKURXJK6DOW WKLVURXWHLVVKRUWHU KRXUDZD\ from Amman.

As-Salt

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12 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM Umm Qays

Umm Qays 8PP4D\VLVDVSHFWDFXODUGHVWLQDWLRQDFRPELQDWLRQ RI $QFLHQW *UDHFR5RPDQ UXLQV LQWHUWZLQHG ZLWK houses of an Ottoman village. Many of the structures RI8PP4D\VDUHEXLOWZLWKEODFNEDVDOWVWRQHJLYLQJ the city a grand and unique feel. DID YOU KNOW? Evidence of the Nabataeans 'XULQJ WKH WLPH RI WKH 1HZ 7HVWDPHQW QRUWKHUQ at Petra was already Jordan was the region of the Roman Decapolis dwindling and when spread across PHDQLQJ CWHQ FLWLHV  LQ *UHHN  7KLV LV WKH SODFH the Byzantine Empire, where Jesus taught the people about the Kingdom of Petra became the seat of a bishopric and a monument *RGDQGSHUIRUPHGKLVPLUDFOHV was converted to a church - the Urn Tomb. Recent 7KHROG'HFDSROLVFLW\RI*DGDUD PRGHUQGD\8PP4D\V  excavations have exposed three churches, one of boasts spectacular panoramic views overlooking the Sea them paved with coloured RI*DOLOHH,WLVKHUHWKDW-HVXVSHUIRUPHGWKHPLUDFOHRI mosaics. WKH*DGDUHQHVZLQHFDVWLQJVSLULWVRXWRIDGHPHQWHGPDQ DQGLQWRDKHUGRISLJVZKLFKWKHQUDQGRZQWKHKLOOLQWR Umm Qays WKHZDWHUVRIWKH6HDRI*DOLOHHDQGGURZQHG

$ UDUH oYHDLVOHG EDVLOLFD IURP WKH WK FHQWXU\ ZDV UHFHQWO\ GLVFRYHUHG Directions DQG H[FDYDWHG DW 8PP 4D\V )URP WKH LQWHULRU FKXUFK RQH FDQ VS\ D Take the Jerash-Irbid Highway north from Amman. Upon reaching the city of Irbid Roman-Byzantine tomb over which the church was built. Such a distinctive DQ KRXU GULYH  IROORZ WKH VLJQV WKDW ZLOO WDNH \RX WR 8PP 4D\V 8PP 4D\V LV architectural arrangement strongly indicates that it was built to commemorate around 60 minutes away from Irbid. the very spot where the Byzantine faithful believed that Jesus performed his miracle.

$ YLVLWRU VWDQGLQJ DW WKH MXQFWLRQ RI 6\ULD ,VUDHO DQG -RUGDQ FDQ HQMR\ D VWXQQLQJYLHZRI/DNH7LEHULXVDQG7KH*RODQ+HLJKWV 13 UMM AR-RASAS

UMM AR-RASAS This rectangular walled city is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments RIWKH%LEOH,WZDVIRUWLoHGE\WKH5RPDQVDQGVXEVHTXHQWO\HPEHOOLVKHGE\ local Christians with Byzantine-style mosaics over 100 years into the start of WKH 0XVOLP 8PD\\DG UXOH 0RVW RI WKH FLW\ QRZ OLHV LQ UXLQV EXW WKHUH DUH VHYHUDOVWUXFWXUHVLQLWVHDVWHUQSDUWWKDWKDYHEHHQH[FDYDWHGDQGUHVWRUHG

Just outside the city walls is the recently unearthed Church of Saint Stephen. ,WVSHUIHFWO\SUHVHUYHGRXWVWDQGLQJPRVDLFpRRULVWKHODUJHVWRILWVNLQGWREH GLVFRYHUHGLQ-RUGDQVHFRQGRQO\WRWKHZRUOGIDPRXVPRVDLFPDSDW0DGDED The mosaic depicts the images of 27 Old and New Testament cities of the Holy /DQGERWKHDVWDQGZHVWRIWKH5LYHU-RUGDQ

Just 2km north of Umm Ar-Rasas is the highest standing ancient tower in -RUGDQULVLQJPKLJKZLWKQRGRRURULQQHUVWDLUFDVH%HOLHYHGWRKDYHEHHQ XVHGDVDSODFHRIVROLWXGHE\HDUO\&KULVWLDQPRQNVWRGD\LWLVLQKDELWHGRQO\ E\pRFNVRIELUGV

Mosaic Detail

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14 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM JERASH

JERASH -HUDVKIRUPHUO\NQRZQDV*HUDVDLVLQGLVSXWDEO\ WKH PRVW FRPSOHWH DQG EHVWSUHVHUYHG *UDHFR 5RPDQFLW\LQWKH0LGGOH(DVWQRWHGLQWKH%LEOH DV WKH kUHJLRQ RI WKH *DUDVHQHVy 0DUN  /XNH 8:26). DID YOU KNOW? As they were leaving the ,Q D ODUJH HFFOHVLDVWLFDO FRPSOH[ ZLWKLQ WKH FLW\ EXUQLQJ FLW\ RI 6RGRP there is a fountain where Byzantine citizens once /RW VZLIHGLVREH\HG*RG V order not to look back and annually celebrated Jesus’ miracle of turning was turned into a pillar of ZDWHU LQWR ZLQH 7RGD\ WKH k)RXQWDLQ &RXUWy VDOW *HQHVLV   /RW and his two daughters within Jerash is a popular destination for modern VXUYLYHGDQGpHGWRDFDYH pilgrims who want to re-enact the travels and near the small town of teachings of Christ. =RDU PRGHUQGD\6Do  ,Q WKH %RRN RI *HQHVLV *RG UHIHUV WR WKH -RUGDQ 7KH FRORQQDGHG VWUHHWV SOD]DV WHPSOHV SDYHG River Valley around the 'HDG 6HD DV WKH k*DUGHQ SDWKZD\VWKHDWUHVDQGoIWHHQ%\]DQWLQHFKXUFKHV RI WKH /RUGy DQG LW LV make Jerash the second most important historical believed to be the location RIWKH*DUGHQRI(GHQ Hadrian’s Gate GHVWLQDWLRQIRUWRXULVWVLQ-RUGDQDIWHU3HWUD

Directions-RUGDQKDVDUDSLGO\GHYHORSLQJoQHDUWVVFHQHDQG$PPDQLQSDUWLFXODULVKRPH Taketo severalthe northbound excellent galleries Amman-Jerash and exhibition Highway. centers. Follow These the have signs. transformed Jerash is just the 45city minutes into aaway focal from point Amman. for local and international artists who regularly exhibit here.

15 PETRA

PETRA 'XULQJWKHWLPHRI-HVXVDQGWKH$SRVWOHVRQHRIWKH(DVWHUQ0HGLWHUUDQHDQ V JUHDWHVWWUDGLQJFHQWHUVZDVORFDWHGLQWKHVRXWKHUQFLW\RI3HWUD7KLVH[WHQVLYH URFNFXWFDSLWDORIWKH1DEDWDHDQ.LQJGRPpRXULVKHGGXULQJ1DEDWDHDQUXOH IURPWKHUGFHQWXU\%&WRWKHHDUO\QGFHQWXU\$'ZKHQLWZDVRFFXSLHGE\ WKH5RPDQ(PSHURU7UDMDQ

The Bible’s Old Testament seems to make mention of Petra under several SRVVLEOHQDPHVLQFOXGLQJ6HODDQG-RNWKHHO .LQJV 

'XULQJWKH([RGXV0RVHVDQGWKH,VUDHOLWHVSDVVHGWKURXJKWKH3HWUDDUHDLQ (GRP0RVHVZDVQHYHUDOORZHGWRHQWHUWKH+RO\/DQGDVKHGLVREH\HG*RG V FRPPDQGVWRVSHDNWRDURFNWREULQJIRUWKZDWHUFKRRVLQJWRVWULNHLWLQVWHDG (Numbers 20:10-24). Local tradition says that the spring at Wadi Musa (Valley RI0RVHV MXVWRXWVLGH3HWUDLVWKLVVDPHSODFH

$DURQWKHoUVW+LJK3ULHVWRIWKH%LEOHDQGWKHEURWKHURI0RVHVDQG0LULDP GLHGLQ-RUGDQDQGZDVEXULHGLQ3HWUDDW0RXQW+RUQRZFDOOHG-DEDO+DUXQLQ Ad Deir (The Monastery) $UDELF 0RXQW$DURQ $%\]DQWLQHFKXUFKDQGODWHUDQ,VODPLFVKULQHWRPE

ZHUHEXLOWRQWKHVXPPLWRIWKHPRXQWDLQZKLFKWRGD\DWWUDFWVSLOJULPVIURP Directions DOORYHUWKHZRUOG$DURQLVEHVWUHPHPEHUHGIRUWKHEHDXWLIXOEOHVVLQJWKDW*RG 7DNH WKH 'HVHUW +LJKZD\ VRXWKERXQG $IWHU NP WXUQ ULJKW IROORZLQJ commanded him to give people: the signs indicating the route to the city. Petra is about 3 hours from away Amman. /DWHU3HWUDZDVDOPRVWFHUWDLQO\WKHODVWVWDJLQJSRVWRIWKHWKUHHNLQJVZKR WRRN IUDQNLQFHQVH JROG DQG P\UUK WR KRQRU WKH EDE\ -HVXV LQ %HWKOHKHP 0DWWKHZ   7KH .LQJ $UHWDV PHQWLRQHG LQ &RULQWKLDQV  ZDV D Nabataean king who ruled Petra.

16 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM HISBAN

HISBAN +LVEDQ LV ORFDWHG RQ WKH HGJH RI WKH KLJKODQG SODWHDX overlooking the northern tip of the Dead Sea and the Lower Jordan Valley.

0RGHUQGD\ +LVEDQ LV ZLGHO\ LGHQWLoHG ZLWK RQH RI WKH DID YOU KNOW? &LWLHVRIWKH3ODLQ+HVKERQGXHWRWKHVLPLODULW\LQWKHLU Six tombs, from different names (Numbers 21:26). Formerly ruled by the Amorite periods, have been found .LQJ6LKRQWKLVUHJLRQRIFHQWUDO-RUGDQZDVUHIHUHQFHG hollowed out of the rock beneath the mosaic- LQWKH6RQJRI6RORPRQk{\RXUH\HVDUHOLNHSRROVLQ FRYHUHG pRRU RI WKH 0RVHV +HVKERQy Memorial Church at Mount Nebo. In the present presbytery you can see /DWHUIRUWLoHGLQWKH5RPDQ%\]DQWLQHSHULRG+LVEDQDOVR remnants of mosaics, the earliest of which is a panel FDOOHG(VEXVZDVDQLPSRUWDQWVWDWLRQRQHDUO\&KULVWLDQ with a braided cross. The pilgrims’ route from to Mount Nebo via the Serpentine Cross, which Jordan River. stands just outside the sanctuary, is symbolic of the brass serpent taken by 0RGHUQ +LVEDQ YLOODJH LV WKH oUVW PDMRU DQWLTXLWLHV VLWH Moses into the desert and the cross upon which Jesus Cave at Hisban on the King’s Highway south of Amman. Some scholars ZDVFUXFLoHG

EHOLHYHWKDWWKHQHDUE\7HOO-DOXOLVDEHWWHUFDQGLGDWHIRUDQFLHQW+HVKERQ%RWKVLWHVRQO\-RUGDQKDVDUDSLGO\GHYHORSLQJoQHDUWVVFHQHDQG$PPDQLQSDUWLFXODULVKRPH PLQXWHVE\FDUIURP$PPDQKDYHEHHQH[FDYDWHGDQGFDQEHHDVLO\YLVLWHG7HOORIto several excellent galleries and exhibition centers. These have transformed the +LVEDQKDVEHHQHTXLSSHGZLWKVLJQVDQGZDONZD\VWKDWDOORZYLVLWRUVWRDSSUHFLDWHLWVcity into a focal point for local and international artists who regularly exhibit PDQ\DQFLHQWUHPDLQVIURPWKH,URQ$JH*UDHFR5RPDQ%\]DQWLQHDQGPHGLHYDO,VODPLFhere. periods.

Directions 7DNH WKH 1DXU 5RDG IURP WKH 'HDG 6HD +LJKZD\ +LVEDQ LV DSSUR[LPDWHO\  PLQXWHV away from Amman. 17 THE DEAD SEA & LOT’S CAVE

THE DEAD SEA & LOT’S CAVE 7KH'HDG6HDLVRQHRIWKHPRVWGUDPDWLFSODFHVRQ(DUWKZLWKLWVVWXQQLQJ natural environment equally matched by its powerful spiritual symbolism. 7KH%LEOHYDULRXVO\FDOOVLWWKHk6HDRI$UDEDKyWKHk6DOW6HDyRUWKHk(DVWHUQ 6HDy0HGLDHYDOWH[WVUHIHUWRLWDVkWKH'HYLO V6HDyEXWWKH$UDESHRSOHKDYH always known it as Bahr Lut (Lot’s Sea).

7KHLQIDPRXV6RGRPDQG*RPRUUDKDQGRWKHUFLWLHVRIWKH'HDG6HD3ODLQZHUH subject to some of the most dramatic and enduring Old Testament stories. In *HQHVLV*RGVDLGKHZRXOGGHVWUR\WKHFLWLHVRI6RGRPDQG*RPRUUDKEHFDXVH of the inhabitant’s wicked and arrogant ways. But Abraham successfully DUJXHGZLWK*RGWKDW/RWDQGDQ\RWKHUULJKWHRXVSHRSOHVKRXOGEHVSDUHG

/RW DQG KLV WZR GDXJKWHUV VXUYLYHG DQG pHG VHHNLQJ UHIXJH LQ D FDYH RQ D KLOOVLGHQHDUWKHVPDOOWRZQRI=RDU PRGHUQGD\6Do +HUHDURXQGWKLVVDPH FDYH%\]DQWLQH&KULVWLDQVEXLOWDFKXUFKDQGPRQDVWHU\GHGLFDWHGWR6DLQW/RW 7KHPRQDVWHU\FRPSOH[KDVEHHQH[FDYDWHGDQGFDQHDVLO\EHYLVLWHGWRGD\ Salt Formations

+RZHYHUDVWKH\ZHUHOHDYLQJWKHEXUQLQJFLW\RI6RGRP/RW VZLIHGLVREH\HG *RG V RUGHU QRW WR ORRN EDFN DQG ZDV WXUQHG LQWR D SLOODU RI VDOW *HQHVLV  $URFNIRUPDWLRQVWDQGVQHDUWKH'HDG6HDVDLGWREHWKHUHPDLQVRIWKH salt pillar that was Lot’s wife.

18 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM

The events in the lives of Abraham and Lot probably took place during the Early or Middle Bronze Age DURXQG  %&  $OWKRXJK QRW FRQoUPHG WKH remains of the ancient walled towns of Bab ed-Dhra’ DQG 1XPHLUD LQ WKH VRXWKHDVWHUQ 'HDG 6HD FHQWUDO SODLQ DUH EHOLHYHG WR EH WKH VLWHV RI WKH FLWLHV RI DID YOU KNOW? 6RGRPDQG*RPRUUDK7KH\both still show evidence During the 1st millennium RIGHVWUXFWLRQE\DoUHZKLFKWRRNSODFHLQWKH(DUO\ BC, the Kings’ Highway linked Lot s Cave the kingdoms of Edom, ’ %URQ]H$JHDIWHUZKLFKWKH\ZHUHQHYHUUHLQKDELWHG and Ammon. Several centuries 7KH WKUHH RWKHU &LWLHV RI WKH 3ODLQ ZHUH C$GPDK later, the Nabateans used this road as a trade route for luxury =HERLLP DQG %HOD WKDW LV =RDU  *HQHVLV   7KH goods such as frankincense remains of these places are still buried somewhere and spices coming from the southern Arabian peninsula. around the Dead Sea. When the Romans took over the area, they remodeled the road to meet Roman By the 6th century AD in the early Christian era - more standards for troop transport, WKDQ\HDUVDIWHUWKHHYHQWVIURP*HQHVLVWKHODQG and renamed it the Via Nova Traiana. The highway has long of Jordan was dotted with Christian monasteries and been an important pilgrimage churches. route for both Christians and Salt Pillars Muslims alike.

7KHHQWLUHOHQJWKRIWKH'HDG6HD VHDVWHUQVKRUHIURPWKH5LYHU-RUGDQLQWKH1RUWK WRWKHEURDGSODLQRIVDOWIRUPDWLRQVDWWKHVRXWKHUQHQGLVHDVLO\DFFHVVLEOHRQoQH roads from central and southern Jordan.

Directions Take the Airport Highway until you see the Dead Sea sign. Take a right and follow the signs. Lot’s Cave is around 1.5 hours away from the Dead Sea.

19 AMMAN

AMMAN 7KH -RUGDQLDQ FDSLWDO $PPDQ LV PHQWLRQHG LQ WKH %LEOH E\ WKH QDPH RI 5DEDWK$PPRQLQWKHVWRU\RI.LQJ2JDQ$PPRQLWH.LQJIDPHGIRUEHLQJD giant of a man (Deuteronomy 3:11).

7KHFLW\ZDVDOVRNQRZQDV3KLODGHOSKLDQDPHGVRLQWKHUGFHQWXU\%&DIWHU the Ptolemic ruler Philadelphus.

$PPDQ WRGD\ ERDVWV D QXPEHU RI LPSRUWDQW UXLQV LQFOXGLQJ WKH 5RPDQ 7KHDWUHD5RPDQWHPSOHDQGVHYHUDO%\]DQWLQHFKXUFKHV7KHDUFKHRORJLFDO PXVHXPVLWXDWHGLQWKH&LWDGHORZQVRQHRIWKHoQHVWFROOHFWLRQVRIDQFLHQW DUWLIDFWVLQWKH0LGGOH(DVWLQFOXGLQJVRPHRIWKH&RSSHU'HDG6HDVFUROOV

7KHPRGHUQFDSLWDOLVZHOONQRZQIRULWVH[FHOOHQWLQIUDVWUXFWXUHPXVHXPV IDVFLQDWLQJ VKRSV JRXUPHW UHVWDXUDQWV OX[XULRXV KRWHOV DQG UHFUHDWLRQDO facilities.

Citadel

20 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM AQABA

AQABA 7KH oUVW VLWH LQ VRXWKHUQ -RUGDQ PHQWLRQHG LQ WKH ([RGXV LV (]LRQJHEHU 1XPEHU   Ezion-geber and Elath (or Eloth) were port towns ORFDWHG DW RU QHDU WKH 5HG 6HD SRUW RI $TDED They are best known for their roles during the DID YOU KNOW? ,URQ $JHD IHZKXQGUHG \HDUVDIWHU WKHWLPHRI Herod Antipas became governor WKH([RGXV7KHVHORFDWLRQVDUHDVVRFLDWHGZLWK of Machaerus after marrying a 1DEDWDHDQ SULQFHVV EHOLHYHG WR both King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba be the daughter of King Aretus IV 'HXWHURQRP\ DVZHOODV7KH&KURQLF:DUV %&q$' LQRUGHUWRFHPHQW a Herodian-Nabataean alliance. between the kings of Judah and Edom (1 Kings +RZHYHU KH DOVR PDUULHG .LQJV  KLV VLVWHULQODZ +HURGLD  D relationship that was strongly opposed by John the Baptist. As ,QUHFHQW\HDUVZKDWLVEHOLHYHGWREHWKHROGHVW D UHVXOW +HURG LPSULVRQHG DQG purpose-built church in the world has been beheaded John at Machaerus (Mark 6: 14-29). discovered in Aqaba. The forces of King Aretus later defeated Herod Antipas’ army in 36 AD. This was subsequently interpreted by many as divine retribution for the death of John Oldest Purpose-Built Church in the World the Baptist.

21 THE KING’S HIGHWAY

THE KING’S HIGHWAY The King’s Highway is the world’s oldest continuously used communication URXWH,WXVHGWROLQNDQFLHQW%DVKDQ*LOLDGDQG$PPRQLQWKH1RUWKZLWK 0RDE(GRP3DUDQDQG0LGLDQLQWKH6RXWK

$EUDKDPDFRPPRQSDWULDUFKRI-HZV&KULVWLDQVDQG0XVOLPVDOLNHZRXOG certainly have used this route on his journey from Mesopotamia to Canaan.

,QWKH%LEOH7KH.LQJ V+LJKZD\LVoUVWPHQWLRQHGE\QDPHLQ1XPEHUV ZKHQ0RVHVOHGWKH([RGXVWKURXJKVRXWKHUQ-RUGDQ0RVHVDVNHGWKH.LQJRI (GRPLIKHDQGKLVSHRSOHFRXOGkJRDORQJWKH.LQJ V+LJKZD\yGXULQJWKHLU MRXUQH\WR&DQDDQEXWKLVUHTXHVWZDVGHQLHG

7KH.LQJ V+LJKZD\LVDOVRUHIHUHQFHGLQDQHDUOLHUVWRU\LQ*HQHVLVLQ UHODWLRQWRWKHIRXU.LQJVIURPWKH1RUWK7KH\DWWDFNHG6RGRPDQG*RPRUUDK DQGWKHWKUHHRWKHU&LWLHVRIWKH3ODLQ+HVKERQ +LVEDQ 0HGDED 0DGDED  DQG.LU0RDE .DUDN qWDNLQJ/RWKRVWDJHRQO\WREHFKDVHGDQGEHDWHQE\ Abraham.

7RGD\WKLVVFHQLFURXWHLVDoQHSDYHGURDGWKDWZLQGVGLSVWZLVWVDQGUDPEOHV WKURXJKWKHKHDUWRIWKH-RUGDQLDQKLJKODQGVSDVVLQJWKURXJKWKHFRXQWU\ V most stunning landscapes and some of its most important ancient sites.

22 WWW.VISITJORDAN.COM Letters of Acknowledgement

“ Your Royal Highness, “We are overwhelmed with joy for the generous granting of continuous and endless attention with the objective of shedding light upon the Determining Jesus Christ’s baptism site is not an easy task today, but Baptismal Site, the virtuous place in which Jesus Christ was baptized by we are taking guidance from the verses of the Holy Book, as well as the John the Baptist, and the Holy Site which embodies the magnanimous life, history and holy tradition of the Orthodox Church…we can identify that the place is the dwelling of the Spirit eternally bestowed thus giving life to the baptism area of the Lord Jesus Christ, the place where John the Baptist the believers in Jesus Christ throughout the ages. This site has become the baptized Him in Transjordan, is on the east bank of the river facing meeting place of God and the human being, in which interpenetrate the -HULFKRDQGDERXWVHYHQPLOHVIURPWKHZDWHUFRXUVHpRZRIWKHULYHULQ past with the present and the future, transforming all periods of history the Dead Sea. From this, we show that the Baptism Site of our Lord and into spiritual breaths of faith which become deep-rooted in the hearts of Savior Jesus Christ lies in the lands of the Hashemite Kingdom the faithful throughout ages and generations… The antiquities which of Jordan, exactly on the east bank of the river.” ZHUHUHFHQWO\GLVFRYHUHGLQWKH-RUGDQLDQWHUULWRU\GDWHEDFNWRWKHoUVW Christian tradition and give it historic value.” Erinious 1 Patriarch of the Holy City Bishop Salim Sayegh Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar General for Jordan

Michel Sabbagh Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem

23 BIBLICAL ITINERARIES

One Day Itinerary: Day 4. Petra - Overnight in Petra Day 1: Amman City Tour, Madaba, Mount Nebo, and Bethany Day 5. Wadi Rum - Overnight in Wadi Rum Beyond the Jordan Day 6. Aqaba - Overnight in Aqaba Day 7. Lot’s Cave, Lot’s Wife and the Dead Sea - Overnight at the Dead Sea 5 Day Itinerary: Day 8. Bethany Beyond the Jordan - Return to Amman Day 1. Umm Qays, Jerash - Overnight in Amman Day 2. Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Madaba, Mount Nebo - For more itineraries, please check our website: Overnight in Amman Day 3. Mukawir, Umm Ar-Rasas, Karak - Overnight Petra www.VisitJordan .com Day 4. Petra, Sila’, and Lot’s Cave - Overnight in Amman Day 5. Amman Citadel, Roman Theatre, Museums

8 Day Itinerary: Day 1. Jerash, Ajlun, Pella, and Umm Qays - Overnight in Amman Day 2. Amman City Tour and Desert Castles - Overnight in Amman Day 3. Madaba, Mount Nebo, and Karak - Overnight in Petra

24 Mukawir Jordan Tourism Board Tel : +(962-6) 5678444 Fax: +(962-6) 5678295 P.O.Box 830688 Amman 11183, Jordan email: [email protected] visitjordan www.visitjordan.com

English I …õ«∏‚EG

Copyright © Jordan Tourism Board 2013. All Rights Reserved. All text, images, graphics, and other materials within this brochure are subject to copyright and other intellectual property rights of the JTB. 7KHVHPDWHULDOVPD\QRWEHUHSURGXFHGGLVWULEXWHGRUPRGLoHGZLWKRXWWKHH[SUHVVZULWWHQSHUPLVVLRQRI-7%