Bethany-Beyond-The-Jordan: The site of the Baptism of Christ (Part – 2)

By asad russel –

At the Bethany-Beyond-The-Jordan what to see:
In the late 1990s since the excavations, by the Jordan Tourism Authority the site has been extensively developed, but sensitively so are controlled the visitors’ numbers and in an effort to preserve its sanctity at some distance from the site the visitors’ center has been located. There are other facilities like the shops, restaurants and a plush VIP lounge also.

At the visitors center is the ticket office, for parking which has plenty space. Within the archaeological zone itself are prohibited all private cars, so to the choice of three different sites, John the Baptist’s Church, John the Baptism Pools and Tell Mar Elias an electric minibus brings the visitors.

Alternatively from the visitors’ center to Tell Mar Elias you can walk about 2.5 kilometers, then of the Wadi Kharrar along the south bank for another 2 kilometers to reach the John the Baptist’s Church and the Jordan River also. In a desolate and difficult climate the Baptism Site is located should note that would be the walkers. On the earth it is nearly the lowest point, below sea level at over 350 meters. Chalky and dry is the ground and except on the banks of the river vegetation is sparse. The air is hot and thick also, anytime but the winter with the temperatures soaring to 45 degree Celsius.

The Bethany which called Tell Mar Elias (‘el-yass’), Elijah’s Hill on most tours the first stop. There has the ruins of three caves, three churches and three baptism pools in the small hill, by a wooden catwalk which are accessible. From the west side starting, of a small Byzantine church a cave forms the apse, with east and south apses which are small and in a mosaic floor a few fragments.

By a larger Byzantine church northwest of this area is covered. A black stone built into the apse, the fire commemorating into heaven which accompanied Elijah’s ascent. A cross made of diamond shapes and with an inscription of Greek to the time of the Rhotoriou (early 6th century) dating it includes the mosaic floor.

From the Roman period there are two pools on the northeastern side of the Tell up a couple steps, with the addition of a 14 meter deep well one cut later. There is a large rectangular pool further around the Tell, on the bottom plastered and leading into it with four steps. For group baptisms to have been used this is believed.

There are a number of the other sites of interest a few meters south of the Tell. A large freestanding arch is the major one. There are many other ruins and visiting places in this site like the complex of hermits’ cells, large baptism pool, spring, ashlars, pilgrims’ hostel, zor, two Byzantine hermits’ cave, and prayer niches. Next to the Jordan River as the part of the site development has been built a modern Orthodox church which is dedicated to the St John the Baptists.  

Posted by : Unknown 9:04 PM Tags : Travel Destinations

Subscribe by Email

Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email