Jordan has witnessed many major events that shaped religious development; Moses, John the Baptist, Jesus Christ, and the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) have all lived here and traveled through its timeless landscapes, which remain relatively unchanged today. In its heyday Madaba was one of the most ancient and important religious centers. Within a short distance from Madaba, in any direction, visitors will come across some of the iconic sites of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It was here that Moses was shown the Holy Land; here Christ was baptized at “Bethany beyond the Jordan”; and here faith and religion come alive in a new way at the holy places where these events actually unfolded. Exploring Madaba is a unique opportunity to make a journey of faith and renewal in the Holy Land of Jordan. Such a modern pilgrimage is one of the most enriching and enduring experiences of life.

In year 2000, John Paul the second declared Mount Nebo, the Baptism Site, Tel Mar Elias, and Anjara as pilgrimage sites.

Mount Nebo – From whose heights Moses was shown the land of Canaan.

Overlooking the rugged landscape described in the Bible, it was from atop this mountain, standing majestically above the Dead Sea, the Jordan River Valley, and the distant hills of Jerusalem, that Moses was shown the Holy Land of Canaan that he would never enter. Mount Nebo was thus established as a holy place of pilgrimage for Judaism and early Christians from Jerusalem.  A small church was built there in the 4th century to commemorate the end of Moses' life, and it is still an active place of worship in the care of the Franciscan order, which was visited by Pope John II in 2000. About 1 km to the east of Mount Nebo is the “Spring of Moses”, mentioned in the writings of Egeria, Peter the Iberian, and Theodosius.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan – where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist and the new era of Christianity began.

The Jordan River is the artery that, since time immemorial, has softened this harsh and rugged landscape and sustained fertility and life. We can only guess that when human habitation embedded here before recorded time, those people lived close to nature and the life-giving river. Within sight of the revered Jordan River some of the greatest moments in the life of Christ unfolded. Here at Bethany, close to where a bridge linked the ancient pilgrimage route to Jerusalem on a site fed by the waters of the Jordan River and a nearby spring (the Spring of John the Baptist), John established his base, baptizing early pilgrims. Here on a fateful day that changed the course of human history, Jesus and John met and proclaimed a new beginning and the very founding of Christianity. 

From this humble source Christian beliefs have radiated to all parts of the globe and have shaped the religious, ethical and moral beliefs of billions of people. The archaeological excavations at Bethany have now pushed back the millennia to reveal this area as it was at the time of Christ, and today pilgrims can kneel here in prayerful reflection inspired by the baptism of Christ at the very spot where it occurred. 

Today the ancient baptism pools and the sites of early churches have been unearthed and can be seen as they were when John and Jesus met. The authenticity of the Baptism Site is based on irrefutable evidence in archaeological finds, and the biblical references of (John 1:28 and 10:40), as well as in Byzantine and early texts. Bethany Beyond the Jordan is a half-hour drive from Mount Nebo and the Dead Sea. Today it is one of Christianity’s most holy places of pilgrimage.

The photo been taken by Charl Al Twal from the Catholic Church in Madaba.

Mukawir – the site of the palace of Herod and the beheading of John the Baptist

The stark and impregnable hilltop of Mukawir (Machaerus) was where the palace of the legendary King Herod the Great once stood. He ruled over the land of Judaea during the life time of Jesus Christ. It was in this palace fortress that the son of Herod beheaded John the Baptist at the behest of the infamous Salome.

The first two photos from the Catholic Church in Madaba and the thirds one is the cave where Johan the Baptist behead in Mukawir "the photos been taken by Charl Al Twal".

The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and one of the most iconic landscapes in the world, famed throughout history. It hosts a hotel cluster along part of its shoreline and it has a public beach. Its high salinity increases buoyancy, and bathing in its waters or applying its mineral-rich mud is a unique experience that should not be missed. It was near the Dead Sea that Lot and his daughters found refuge, and the Byzantine Christians built a church and monastery dedicated to Saint Lot close to the cave in which they sheltered.

Umm ar-Rasas – A UNESCO World Heritage site

Abandoned after a great earthquake in the 8th century the ruins of Umm ar-Rasas (a UNESCO World Heritage site) are beginning once more to emerge from the desert sands that have encased them for centuries.  The site is located 30km south-east of Madaba. Mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, this remarkable site was fortified by the Romans. Umm ar Rasas holds visual evidence that Judaism, Christianity and Islam  coexisted side-by-side in harmony, sharing even the walls of church, mosque and synagogue. During his caravan journeys between Mecca in Arabia and Damascus in Syria, the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) twice met with Christian monks at Safawi and Umm ar–Rasas. Here local Christians were still embellishing their churches with Byzantine-style mosaics more than a century after the beginning of Moslem Umayyad rule in the area.

Dhiban – the capital of ancient Moab, and Wadi Mujib – Jordan’s Grand Canyon. 

Known during Biblical times as Dibon, this was the capital of ancient Moab. According to the “Mesha Stele” found at the site, Mesha, a Moabite king, expelled the Israelites and established ancient Dhiban as an important settlement in the kingdom of Moab. It is located about 30km to the south of Madaba, just before the spectacular descent into Wadi Mujib - aptly dubbed as Jordan’s Grand Canyon.

Dolmens at Al Faiha – Wadi Jadid located within 10 km to the south west of Madaba city at Al Fiha village. This Wadi is a field of dolmens (Burial Chambers or large stone memorials), where you could see more than 40 dolmens (12 of them standing in a very good condition) and the rest are damaged probably by earthquakes. Also there are several menhirs, cupholes and stone alignments as well.

Those dolmens dating to around 3000 B.C about 5000 years old, from the Early Bronze Age I.

The locals there belived that dolmens are the houses of ghosts, they called it in Arabic Bit Al Ghula.  The photos been taken by Charl Al Twal.

Hammamat Ma'in – The hot springs and the resort of Hammamat Main lie 35 Km south west of Madaba. The serpentine road crosses some of the most spectacular territory around the Dead Sea and drops steeply to the springs after the first 30 Km. A hot waterfall along with natural spa bath and saunas compete with an expensive resorts complex.

The Jeneh resort is open up to midnight and the entrance fees is JD 10 including sandwish and soft drink.

Dead Sea Panorama & Museum - This is the place where you can explore the story of the dead Sea and the Jordan Valley's different formation stages, the plate Tectonics, and evolution of the Dead Sea. Sample of rocks and minerals from the area are in display.

Here you can identify the rift valley as "part of Africa". You can also go through different species of plants and animals that live within this giant green house. In addition to springs and valleys, you can also watch a short documentary about ecosystem of the region.

Humans had settled in the area since the Old Stone Age, if not the cradle of civilizations; Jordan Valley is really the passage of Cultural Revolution. till the moment, local people are interacting with an area rich with natural resources. Some archaeological sites and natural products are exhibited within this section.

This place had a restaurant with panoramic view to the holy land and the Dead Sea, it is the best place to watch the sunset.