First published: 07/11/11.

Walter 4.0

Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond The Jordan"

Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Inscribed)

Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" by Walter

I visited this TL site on a rainy morning in November. They is no bus. I had a car, it is well signe-posted on the Amman-Dead Sea highway, about 10 km from the Dead Sea Resort hotels.

Because it lies on the border with Israel-occupied land, you need to go on a guided tour.

Price is 12 JOD (abour 15 $). Included is an audio guide in several languages. Then we boarded a bus that drived us past the hill where prophet Elijah ascended to heaven in a chariots of fire (there is not much to see and they didn't let us leave the bus).

Then we were left off on a 1 km trails that leaded us to the Jordan River. It was 50 m wide 50 year ago. It is now a 2 m wide mudy small stream. It also marks the border.

Then is the remains of several churches and the site where Jesus is supposed to have been baptized. It lies on a dry branch on the Jordan river.

Then we got a bit furher near a (modern) russian orthodox church, and then to a place where we could go down to the river itself. Just across the river, is the Israeli equivalent tourist facilities. It seemed a bit strange to visit a small stream, with Jordan and Israeli (relaxed) soldiers facing each other and looking over us.

For those who want it, you can actually immerge yourself in the river.

The place is probable very important on a religious point of view, but I am skeptical about its OUV. It makes a good visit for a rainy morning near the dead sea.

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