Bethany beyond the Jordan — Attraction in Balqa

Heads up if you're looking for a peaceful religious experience....you won't find it here. Be prepared that you'll spend significantly more time in the three different gift shops and waiting for your bus than you'll spend at the Baptismal site and the River Jordan combined!!! The few minutes you'll spend at the actual sites will be very rushed....because if you're not in a gift shop....you're not spending money. And isn't that what Jesus was all about? Selling things at a great profit. Reminds me of that story in the Bible where Jesus found the money changers in the temple and he said "Verily my child, thou charges too little for thy Chinese souvenirs. Go forth and build more gift shops and jack up those prices."

The John the Baptist "snack" shack certainly has taken the above words to heart. They're charging 4 JOD for a can of Coke. (If you've just arrived in Jordan, the street price can be as low as 0.25 JOD)

Here's a break down of the tour: Arrive at site Wait until you're allowed to "check-in" Check-in Wait for bus Take bus to site Herded into gift shop. Everyone must be in the gift shop. Look at overpriced souvenirs. After sufficient number of purchases have been made, you may leave the gift shop. Walk to baptismal site. Listen to small explanation. Get 5 minutes for photos Walk to old church. Get 2 minutes for photos Walk to river Jordan. If you would like to be baptized (i.e. get in the water yourself) then you can buy a poncho for 10 JOD. You and the other tour participants will get 10 minutes to take photos and squeeze down the narrow stairway to the water. Now onto a church with a small gift shop. Walk to the next museum, with you guessed it a big gift shop. Walk to the start and wait for your bus back by the snack shack. Continue to wait for bus. Contemplate your experience on the...

Bethany beyond the Jordan, also known as Bethabara, holds profound historical and religious significance. Situated along the eastern bank of the Jordan River, this site is believed to be the place where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist. As a result, it has become an essential pilgrimage destination for Christians worldwide. The location's spiritual aura and its connection to this pivotal event in Jesus' life make it a place of deep reverence and contemplation for believers. Additionally, archaeological excavations in the area have unearthed remnants of ancient churches, baptismal pools, and monastic structures, offering valuable insights into the region's religious and cultural past. The site's serene and picturesque setting, with the Jordan River flowing nearby, further adds to the sacred atmosphere, attracting visitors seeking a moment of spiritual reflection and communion with history.

In addition to its religious significance, Bethany beyond the Jordan has also become an essential destination for historians and archaeologists. The site's identification as the probable location of Jesus' baptism has prompted extensive research and exploration to uncover its past. As scholars continue to delve into the area's history, they gain valuable insights into ancient religious practices, architectural techniques, and daily life. The presence of numerous archaeological sites in the region allows for a comprehensive study of the interactions between various civilizations that once thrived in this area. As a result, Bethany beyond the Jordan serves as a bridge between the past and the present, offering a unique opportunity to connect with both historical and spiritual heritage, making it a place of great interest and significance for individuals from various...

An excellent historical site that is unfortunately very poorly managed (at least on the Jordanian side, the Israel side seemed to have things running smoother).

A ticket costs 12 JD. Exact change is recommended. They were hesitant to give me change for a 20. A shuttle buses with “tour guide” will take you to the site. When I went (early June) there were only two shuttle buses. It was a dash to get to them and get a seat, and not everyone was able to get on even though they were waiting for a long time at the ticket office area.

From there it is maybe a 10 minute ride to an area will you will be herded into a gift shop. Our guide spent more time trying to sell things within the shop than he did explaining any of the sites we walked by.

Then there is a walk to Jesus’ baptism site. After that is the walk to the Jordan River. Although the group was very large, there was very little time spent there. People patiently waited to step in the water, as there is only one very small area to do so. You are then herded into a church where you hear another sales pitch to buy souvenirs.

The site is worth visiting but the experience was severely hurt by the way it...