Bethany Beyond the Jordan

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Baptism Site Bethany Beyond The Jordan (Al Maghtas) (2015). The Site Where John The Baptist Is Believed To Have Baptised Jesus, With Elijah'S Hill, Byzantine Churches, Baptismal Pools And A Pilgrimage Route To The Jordan River, Visited By Popes And Pilgrims. · Sweimeh, Balqa

Bethany Beyond the Jordan, called Al-Maghtas in Arabic, is the Baptism Site on the east bank of the Jordan river, about 50 km from Amman. Christian tradition holds that John the Baptist baptised Jesus here, and it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Visitors ride a guided shuttle through the site: Elijah's Hill with its cave and ruined Byzantine churches, the ruins of John the Baptist's church, old baptismal pools, and the modern Greek Orthodox, Latin Catholic and Coptic churches along Wadi Kharrar. The route ends at steps to the river itself, which is small and muddy, only a few metres across, with the Israeli-controlled west bank on the other side. Three popes have visited. The river water is low quality, so most people look rather than swim, and there is a separate Israeli-side site that this entry does not cover. It is a quiet, small, historic and religious place, most meaningful to Christian pilgrims, with little shade, so bring a hat, sun cream and water, and expect to be asked to stay with the group. Allow a quiet morning rather than a rushed stop.

Baptism Site on the east bank of the Jordan river, about 9 km north of the Dead Sea and 50 km from Amman, with churches and a trail to the river, Sweimeh, Balqa, Jordan

The site is open for daytime visits, usually from the morning until the afternoon, and it can CLOSE on some days or for religious events, so confirm locally. Access is only by the organised shuttle from the visitor centre, which leaves in groups and takes about 90 minutes. Last entries come well before closing.

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