Mount Nebo is most known for being the site where Moses overlooked the Holy Land but did not enter it and where a church and a monastery were built to honor him. The book of Numbers (33:47) mentions that when the children of Israel moved from Almon Diblathaim they camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo, and that the children of Reuben rebuilt the city (Numbers 32:38). The city remained with the Moabites, according to Isaiah: “Moab will wail over Nebo and over Medeba; on all their heads will be baldness, and every beard cut off” (Isaiah 15:2-3). The Prophet Jeremiah (48:1) said of Nebo, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Woe to Nebo! For it is plundered.” The Prophet Moses “went up from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the Lord showed him all the land…” but told him, “you shall not go over there.” (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). “So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD, and he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth-peor; but no one knows the place of his burial to this day.” (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). In the fourth century three domed buildings were erected in the place of the current altar. The place used to have a hidden passage which contained graves decorated with mosaics. On both sides of the place there were two small churches for performing the burial prayers. The baptistery, which is in the northern section of the site, is decorated with mosaics, while the floor of the southern section is decorated with a large cross.
Pella.. A city of Irbid in the North of Jordan
While visiting the city of Irbid in the North of Jordan, it wouldn’t be reasonable to miss a trip to the archeological site of Pella. The site is set in a fold of hills that overlook the Jordan Valley, one short drive from the town of Tabaqat Fahl, and an hour and a half drive from Amman. The former ancient city of Pella hosts a collection of ruins that date back over 6000 years and is regarded as one of the most important historical landmarks in the country where visitors can experience fascinating glimpses of many of Jordan’s key historical periods. Pella has one of the longest pre-classical histories of any site in Jordan as it offers something to discover for everyone’s interests, and is best known for its classical theater, bath house, nymphaeum and Late Antique remains (at least three churches, a mosque, domestic houses). Pella quickly became one of the cities of the Decapolis, the collection of Roman trade towns connected by paved roads which included Philadelphia (Amman), Gadara (Umm Qais), and Gerasa (Jerash). This confederation of towns lasted until the Abbasids moved the center of the Muslim world to Baghdad.
Hill of Elijah
One of the most important sites of the Baptism Site is Elijah’s Hill, the place where Elijah ascended to heaven in the 9th century BC. The Bible states that Elijah would return before the coming of Jesus, so when John the Baptist began baptizing people there it caused a huge stir in the surrounding villages. The villagers came to inquire whether or not he was their messiah. He replied, “I am a crying voice in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord”. On the western side of Elijah’s Hill, there is a cave where John lived, and where Jesus was known to visit him. This is considered a very holy site and therefore a church was built around the cave at the time the monastery was built in the 5th century. It was the first monastery east of the Jordan River on the early Christian pilgrimage route between Jerusalem and Bethlehem to the west and Mount Nebo to the East. Visually the site is very similar to how it would have looked in the time of Jesus and John, The Bible describes the reeds that can be seen throughout the year today. The small rough bushes are the natural habitat for bees, reminding us of what John the Baptist used to eat, wild honey and locusts. Wadi al-Kharrar is the modern name for the site of ‘Saphsaphas’, which is depicted on the 6th century mosaic map of the Holy Land in Madaba. The site lies east of the Jordan River, just west of the village of Al-Kafrayn and within sight of the famous town of Jericho west of the river. At the beginning of Wadi al-Kharrar, near the monastic complex, or “Laura”, Christian pilgrims have traditionally been shown a hill (known as Jabel Mar Elias in Arabic) where the Prophet Elijah ascended into heaven. Here, you can see a sanctuary that attracted pilgrims well into the medieval period. The Russian pilgrim Abbot Daniel was impressed by the place and in 1106 he wrote: “Not far away from the river, at a distance of two arrow throws, is the place where the Prophet Elijah was taken into Heaven in a chariot of fire. There is also the grotto of Saint John the Baptist. A beautiful strong fast stream (torrential rain) full of water flows over the stones towards the the water is very cold and has a very good taste; it is the water that John drank while he lived in the holy grotto”. The memory of the place was not lost by the writer Theodosius either, who wrote around 530 AD: “Where my Lord was baptized there is, on the far side of the ‘little hill’ called Hermon, where Saint Elijah was taken up”. Similarly, the Pilgrim Antoninus Martyr from Piacenza wrote around 570 AD: “This is the place where Elijah was taken up (to heaven). In that place is the ‘little hill of Hermon’ mentioned in the Psalm. At the foot of the mountain at seven o’clock in the morning, a cloud forms over the river, arriving over Jerusalem at sunrise, above the basilica on Zion, the basilica at Christ’s Tomb and basilica of Saint Mary and Saint Sophia (once the Praetorium where Christ’s case was heard). Above these places the dew comes down like showers, and sick people collect it. In the hospices all the dishes are cooked in it, and in the places where this dew falls many diseases are cured. For this is the dew of which the Psalmist signs, ‘it is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion’ (Psalm 133.3)”.
The Baptism Site | Bethany beyond the Jordan | Al-Maghtas
Home to several biblical cities including Sodom, Gomorrah, and Zoar, the archaeological discoveries between the Jordan River and Tal al-Kharrar have identified this area as Biblical “Bethany Beyond the Jordan.” The area is where John was living when he baptized Jesus. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Baptism Site commission welcomes pilgrims from all around the world seeking spiritual connection to biblical times, a glimpse of history or a chance to be baptized where Jesus was so many years ago. If that’s not enough biblical history for one area, the cave where Lot and his daughters took refuge after the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is located just outside an area called Safi (Biblical Zoar).
Wadi Rum nature reserve
“The Valley of the Moon”, depicted as Mars in several Hollywood feature films Wadi Rum is an Arabian fairy-tale waiting to be discovered. Home to nomadic Bedouin tribes, Wadi Rum is a a quiet getaway of stars, sand, and sun; a perfect complement from Amman’s epicenter. Once inhabited by the Nabataeans of prehistoric times, Wadi Rum allows you to get lost in large landscapes and horizon lines. The calmness of the desert is sure calm your spirit and de-clutter your thoughts. Wadi Rum is waiting for you. Marvel at the boundless energy of Wadi Rum’s amazing landscapes. With its towering rock formations, slender valleys, and infinite skies Wadi Rum is an exclusive getaway inclusive of all. Explore the prehistoric inscriptions carved on even older mountains, forming an ancient combination of man and nature. Camel race track Get your competitive juices flowing in Wadi Rum as you witness the high octane speed of camels jetting across the desert sands. Camel Racing is a rather popular sport across the Middle East and is becoming a main attraction to tourists visiting Wadi Rum. Bedouin life experience Hospitality is an essential quality of Bedouin culture. In Wadi Rum you can experience the authenticity of a “low cost” Bedouin lifestyle, miles away from “ordinary” life. Get lost in Bedouin tradition that is sure to leave your belly and your soul properly nourished.
The ancient city of Jerash
A close second to Petra on the list of favorite destinations in Jordan, the ancient city of Jerash boasts an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years and is only about 45km north of Amman and because of its water the site has been settled at least since Neolithic times. The city’s golden age came under Roman rule and the site is now generally acknowledged to be one of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world and one of the Decapolis cities once named Gerasa. Hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash reveals a fine example of the grand, formal provincial Roman urbanism that is found throughout the Middle East, comprising paved and colonnaded streets, soaring hilltop temples, grand theatres, spacious public squares and plazas, baths, fountains and city walls pierced by towers and gates. Beneath its external Graeco-Roman veneer, Jerash also preserves a subtle blend of east and west. Its architecture, religion and languages reflect a process by which two powerful cultures meshed and coexisted – The Graeco-Roman world of the Mediterranean basin and the ancient traditions of the Arab Orient.
The Spectacular natural wonder the Dead Sea
A spectacular natural wonder the Dead Sea that is located 427 meters below sea level is perfect for wellness and religious tourism, fun in the sun with the family. With its mix of beach living and religious history you can soak up the sun while Biblical scholars can get their daily dose of religious history. 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. The lowest point on earth museum & lot’s cave This small museum near the Dead Sea is a wonder in and of itself with its unique location and interesting collection of artifacts. Located at the lowest point on Earth the museum hosts a collection of materials from Lot’s cave (located just up the hill from the museum) and amazingly preserved Graeco-Roman clothing in addition to hundreds of Greek inscriptions. While visiting the museum, the walk up to Lot’s cave is highly recommended. This cave is believed to be where the Prophet Lot escaped to following the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. The cave is believed to have been transformed into a church and the intricate mosaic floor can still be seen today.
The ancient city of Petra
The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan’s national treasures and by far its best known tourist attraction. Petra is the legacy of the Nabataeans, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2,000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is a UNESCO World Heritages Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Inhabited by the Nabateans, Edomites and Romans, Petra brought together the knowledge and skill of these civilizations to create this world wonder. Caravans laden with incense, silks, spices and other exotic goods would rest at Petra. Beidha – the second trail This trail begins at the Beidha Neolithic Village, near to Siq Al-Barid, which is the largest Nabataean site in Beidha. A few services are available here, including toilets, soft drinks and a parking area. You can reach the Siq Umm al-‘Alda entrance by car or bus and then hike to the Baja Neolithic site, which is 30 minutes walking distance away. You will pass some magnificent rock structures on your way to Baja. After exploring the site you follow the same track back to Siq Umm al-‘Alda and then drive to Shkarat Msaied, which is 15 minutes away from Siq Umm al-‘Alda by road. On your way to Shkarat Msaied, driving along Namala road, you can take in the beautiful surrounding landscape and mountains covered with juniper, oak, and wild pistachio trees. Beyond Namala Road you will experience the ancient Nabataean, Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic caravan route, which descends to Wadi Araba and Bir Madhkur and continues on to the Negeb and Gaza, forming part of the main caravan route that connected Petra with Gaza on the Mediterranean. Nowadays, this road is used to connect Petra with Wadi Feynan, the Dead Sea in the north, and Aqaba in the south.
Jordanian natural skincare brands to nourish the skin
One of the best ways to guarantee long-term skin radiance and health is taking care of it. Natural skincare brands have had a marked presence over the past few years due to several reasons. For example, they are good for the environment as they combine botanicals, minerals, and vitamins that work to restore and heal the skin without using chemicals that could harm the environment. Natural skincare products are lighter and safer for the skin, as they make do without certain chemical ingredients that could be harmful to some people, and cause redness, swelling, or other allergic reactions. Another reason they have an increasingly wider market is that they suit animal lovers and activists as they are not being tested on animals to ensure their suitability for human use. Over the past years, Jordanian natural skincare brands appeared in the cosmetics industry and grabbed the attention of locals seeking to maintain healthy and nourishing skin. Products that have inspiring and regenerating properties that help nourish the skin. Its products also have healing benefits. Products such as facial toner, day cream moisturizer, Dead Sea bath salt, and many others are exported to many countries around the world, so if you are not in Jordan, you can get this brand’s natural products.
About the Dead Sea in Jordan
The Dead Sea, also known as the Salt Sea, is a hypersaline lake (salinity around 34%), and considered one of earth’s unique places. The surface and shores of the Dead Sea are 423 metres (1,388 ft) below sea level, making it earth’s lowest elevation on land. The Dead Sea is 377 m (1,237 ft) deep, making it the deepest hypersaline lake in the world. A hypersaline lake is a landlocked body of water that contains significant concentrations of sodium chloride or other mineral salts, with saline levels surpassing that of ocean water (8.6 times saltier than the ocean). The Dead Sea’s unusually high salt concentration means that people can easily float in the Dead Sea due to natural buoyancy. The high salinity prevents macroscopic aquatic organisms such as fish and aquatic plants from living in it, though minuscule quantities of bacteria and microbial fungi are present. The Dead Sea area has become a major center for health research and treatment for several reasons. The mineral content of the water, the very low content of pollens and other allergens in the atmosphere, the reduced ultraviolet component of solar radiation, and the higher atmospheric pressure at this great depth each have specific health effects. The Dead Sea was a place of refuge for King David. It was one of the world’s first health resorts (for Herod the Great), and it has been the supplier of a wide variety of products, from balms for Egyptian mummification to potash for fertilizers.
