Bethanya (Jordania)
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 5.28 mi
- Elevation gain
- 256 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 236 ft
- Max elevation
- -1,053 ft
- TrailRank
- 55
- Min elevation
- -1,280 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Moving time
- 42 minutes
- Time
- one hour 57 minutes
- Coordinates
- 960
- Uploaded
- April 18, 2023
- Recorded
- April 2023
near Bethany, Balqa (Jordan)
Viewed 54 times, downloaded 3 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
|
Al-Maghtas, meaning "baptism" or "immersion" in Arabic, is a World Heritage archaeological site in Jordan on the east bank of the Jordan River, officially known as the "Bethany Transjordan (Al-Maghtas) Baptism Site". It is considered to have been the original location of the Baptism of Jesus and the ministry of John the Baptist and has been revered as such since at least the Byzantine empire.
Al-Maghtas includes two main archaeological areas.[2] The remains of a monastery on a mound known as Jabal Mar-Elias and an area near the river with remains of churches, baptismal ponds and houses of pilgrims and hermits. The two areas are connected by a stream called Wadi Kharrar.[3]
The strategic location between Jerusalem and the Highway of Kings is already evident in the Book of Joshua's account of the Israelites crossing the Jordan there. Jabal Mar-Elias is traditionally identified as the site of the ascension of the prophet Elijah into heaven.[4] The entire area was abandoned after the 1967 Six-Day War, when both banks of the Jordan became part of the front line. The area was heavily exploited at the time.[5]
After the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan in 1994, the withdrawal from the area took place after an initiative by Jordanian royalty.
Several archaeological excavations, 4 papal visits, state visits have been carried out on the site and it attracts tourists and pilgrimage activities.
In 2015, the site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, excluding the west side of the river. Approximately 81,000 people visited it in 2016, mostly European, American and Arab tourists. Thousands flock to the site on January 6 to celebrate Epiphany.
Al-Maghtas includes two main archaeological areas.[2] The remains of a monastery on a mound known as Jabal Mar-Elias and an area near the river with remains of churches, baptismal ponds and houses of pilgrims and hermits. The two areas are connected by a stream called Wadi Kharrar.[3]
The strategic location between Jerusalem and the Highway of Kings is already evident in the Book of Joshua's account of the Israelites crossing the Jordan there. Jabal Mar-Elias is traditionally identified as the site of the ascension of the prophet Elijah into heaven.[4] The entire area was abandoned after the 1967 Six-Day War, when both banks of the Jordan became part of the front line. The area was heavily exploited at the time.[5]
After the signing of the peace treaty between Israel and Jordan in 1994, the withdrawal from the area took place after an initiative by Jordanian royalty.
Several archaeological excavations, 4 papal visits, state visits have been carried out on the site and it attracts tourists and pilgrimage activities.
In 2015, the site was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, excluding the west side of the river. Approximately 81,000 people visited it in 2016, mostly European, American and Arab tourists. Thousands flock to the site on January 6 to celebrate Epiphany.
Waypoints
Waypoint
-1,079 ft
Religious site
You can add a comment or review this trail
Comments