The Baptism Site at Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas in Arabic), where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, has quite an extensive biblical history. Tradition has held this location as the site where the Israelites first crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, as well as the site where the prophet Elijah was taken into heaven in a chariot of fire (commemorated in the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"). But it is because of its history as the baptism site of Jesus that pilgrims have made their way to Al-Maghtas, as well as to Qasr el Yahud, on the Israeli-occupied west bank of the Jordan. When I visited Jordan in March 2015, I was aware Al-Maghtas was on Jordan's tentative list to be voted on at that year's session of the World Heritage Committee, so I made a point to go there. As others have noted, a visit requires an official tour, where visitors and pilgrims are taken by bus to see the excavated site. A further walk leads to the muddy Jordan River, where pilgrims across the border were being baptized. Although I enjoyed my visit from a biblical and historical perspective, I wasn't confident there was enough OUV for the site to be inscribed. I'm glad it was, though, and I hope one day politics allows an extension for Qasr el Yahud.

Logistics: The Baptism Site is not far from the Dead Sea or from the city of Madaba, but requires private transportation. All visitors must sign up for a guided tour at the entrance to the site.