What to See

Historical Sites

Elijah’s Hill

The place where the Prophet Elijah ascended to heaven and where John the Baptist preached — one of the holiest sites in the Baptism Site.
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- Western Church
  
  The Western Church features a semi-circular apse cut into natural rock and four column bases creating a nave and two aisles, dating to the Byzantine period.
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- Rhetorios Monastery
  
  The Byzantine Monastery (5th–6th centuries AD) with several churches and buildings within a surrounding wall, featuring a fine water system along the ancient pilgrimage route.
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- The Pools
  
  Three ancient pools dating from the Late Roman period (3rd–4th centuries AD), where pilgrims descended to be baptized, fed by an elaborate aqueduct system.
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- Northern Church
  
  The Northern Church features a colored mosaic with geometric designs and a complete Greek inscription commemorating Abbot Rhetorios, restored with a reversible shelter to protect its mosaic floor.
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- The Bethany Saphsaphas
  
  Ancient monastic caves where Saint John the Baptist appeared to a monk in a dream, calling the cave greater than Mount Sinai, as narrated by 7th century writer John Moschus.
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- Water System
  
  A well, cistern and settling basins connected with water channels, built during the 5th–6th centuries AD from well-cut sandstone ashlars lined with lime plaster.
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- Prayer Hall
  
  One of the earliest worship facilities at the site, perhaps predating the 4th century AD, with a plain white mosaic pavement and fieldstone construction near Tell al-Kharrar.
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The Place Where Jesus Was Baptized

The exact location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist, marked by five successive churches built since the 5th century.
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John the Baptist Spring

A freshwater spring flowing from near Tell Mar Elias, used by pilgrims for drinking and baptism, referred to in ancient texts as Aenon.
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The Baptismal Pools

Three ancient pools dating from the Late Roman period (3rd–4th centuries AD), where pilgrims descended to be baptized, fed by an elaborate aqueduct system.
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Cave Cells

Two cliff-carved caves used by early Christian hermits for pious devotion and prayer, with carved niches in their eastern walls.
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The Laura (Hermit Cells)

Remains of a monastic complex 300m west of Tell al-Kharrar — a Laura made up of individual hermit cells serving monks and pilgrims.
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Site of Saint Mary the Egyptian

The area associated with Saint Mary the Egyptian, who spent 47 years in the Jordanian desert in repentance and prayer.
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The Pilgrims’ Station

A Byzantine-era pilgrim rest station built between the Jordan River and Tell al-Kharrar, with rooms, a courtyard, and a water pool.
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Wadi al-Kharrar – The Wilderness of John

The wilderness where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptised — the heartland of the Baptism Site.
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The Jordan River

The sacred river where Jesus was baptised by John — the living water that has drawn pilgrims for two thousand years.
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John the Baptist’s Cave

The cave where John the Baptist is believed to have lived and rested during his ministry beside the Jordan River.
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