The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ
The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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Went here in Feb 2018. Allocate at least 1-2 hours to visit. When you reach the main entrance, you need to pay the entrance fee (12JD) or, get your Jordan Pass validated (assuming you added and paid the 8JD for the "Bethany Beyond the Jordan"). Then wait for the shuttle bus to drive you about 10 minutes to an entrance pathway point. During this drive the guide will point out Elijah's Hill and other points of interest and history. When we stopped at the entrance pathway point, we first went into the gift shop. People could purchase rosaries which could be dipped into the Jordan River or any other keepsakes to bring back home. After about 10mins here we started our walk into the pathway to reach the baptismal site. After about 5-10 minutes we reached an overview to see the Jordan River. we were told since it rained the day before the water was brown from the mud. Guide explained why Jordan River is low. Also explained this site used to be a closed military zone for 50 years, due to being a war zone between Israel and Jordan, littered with many mines. Peace was made in 1994 and it took years before the mines were cleared. Jordan opened its side of the river for tourism in 2002. Israel opened its side of river in 2011. Then another 5 minute walk and you reach the supposed actual site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Wow... pretty cool. Another 3 minute walk and you get to the Jordan River site where people can walk into the water. You can see the Israel side. And a rope and gate border in the middle. You can see armed military personnel on each side of the river. Didn't feel very holy or reverent for me. But many people were filling up water bottles of the river water, and, going into the river. Spent about 15-20 minutes here. Then we made a 5-10 walk back to the entrance point with the gift shop. Waited for the shuttle which brought us back to the main entrance.
if24if24
60
This is a holy site and so the whole mood is sombre and respectful. It's a beautiful area but its also quite spread out and it can get tiring, especially in the hot sun. It's not included in the Jordan Pass by default but you can add it while buying the pass for 8 JD. From the visitor center, a bus (along with a guide, every half an hour) first takes you to a souvenir shop (quite pricey) and then you have to walk (1 KM or so) to visit various points of interest with the guide explaining the history and significance of each in some detail. The guide we had was funny and insightful. The actual place where Jesus was baptised by John The Baptist is dry as of today (since the river has moved) but the remains of a Byzentine church and a small hut are placed there at the spot. The current location of the Jordan river is a little further where a Greek Orthodox church has been constructed along with a small covered pier for people to do baptisms or just sit & watch (like we did). The other side of the river (in West Bank / Israel) is not too far (less than 50 m) and you can see people doing baptisms and etc. Overall, a nice experience in the morning.
Ankur PanchbudheAnkur Panchbudhe
40
As an avid traveler, I always enjoy venturing to historically significant sites with religious connotations, which is precisely what led me to visit this specific destination in Jordan. However, as a critic, I have to say that the steep price of 12 Jordanian dinars for the entry ticket is exorbitant, given the few things on display. Don't get me wrong; the place is fascinating, boasting an array of unique features that inevitably add to the area's religious centrality. However, for the price, visitors are left underwhelmed by what is on offer. Regardless of the obvious historical significance of the venue, one cannot help but feel a tad let down and unsatisfied at the end of the tour. Nonetheless, the site is worth visiting if you possess an earnest interest in historical and religious relics, such as those present here. If you are willing to pay the high entry ticket and navigate the crowds, you may gain a glimpse into the past and see some incredible artifacts that date back centuries. For enthusiasts of history and culture, this site is worth seeing if only once.
VíctorVíctor
00
A long distance to get to this magical holy place Defenitly worth to visit and you will feel this religious aura as soon as you enter it's about an hour from Amman and there before the dead sea The people in charge are friendly, and they'll explain the tour in detail before you start it. The best time to visit before noon or afternoon due to the heat of the weather there is a bus to reach the place and there are maps at the ticket office and there is a tour guide accompanying the tour For about an hour the tour walked inside the place and the surprise is that the plunge pool is located on the Jordan River with beloved Palestine there is a gift shop to buy souvenirs and bless them in the christ's baptism place I must not forget the role of the Jordanian border guards and thank them for providing assistance and providing safety to us inside the place But I hope to take more care of the place due to its great religious historical value
donia kassemdonia kassem
20
Main guide was extremely rude and showed no patience nor emotional intelligence with people. First form of address was "do you have anyone Christian in your family? Go to the gift shop at the end of the tour". The whole visit features artificial rivers (plastic pipeline coming out of the dirt), uncollected trash along the walking path and bling. This site isn't part of the 3 main Jordan Pass tickets so be prepared to fork out 15 euro for a touristic trap when expecting to discover a holy place with a decently guided tour. The gift shop will sell you overpriced religious themed items in unsustainable black plastic bags (not to say rubbish bags). Church and museum were closed mid-week. The entire thing seems to have been privatised (how) and left to its own devices. On the whole an extremely dissatisfying experience. Never again.
Dylan Garin - Le CoguicDylan Garin - Le Coguic
90
"Bethany beyond the Jordan" The baptism site of Jesus Christ is on the Eastern shore of the Jordan river,north of the Dead Sea. The site has two distinct areas. Tell Al-Kharrar, also known as Jabal Mar-Elias (Elijah’s Hill) and the area of the churches of Saint John the Baptist near the river. This site was added to the World Heritage list in 2015. The site is believed to be the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist.Roman and Byzantine remains including churches and chapels, a monastery, caves that have been used by hermits and pools in which baptisms were celebrated, testifying to the religious character of the place. The site is a Christian place of pilgrimage. A short bus ride then a short walk takes you to the Jordan River, where you may actually enter the water if you choose.
Geneva SidesGeneva Sides
60
Nearby Attractions Of The Baptismal Site of Jesus Christ
Bethany beyond the Jordan
Bethany beyond the Jordan
4.5
(350)Click for details
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Address
Juwafat al-Kafrayn, Jordan
Map
Phone
+962 5 359 0360
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Website
baptismsite.com
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4.5
(2.3K reviews)
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Description
Al-Maghtas, officially known as Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan", is an archaeological World Heritage Site in Jordan, on the east bank of the Jordan River, considered to be the original location of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist and venerated as such since at least the Byzantine period.
attractions: Bethany beyond the Jordan, restaurants:
