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Jericho
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Jericho
lies twenty-two miles east of Jerusalem 853 feet below sea
level making it the lowest town on earth. Jericho and its
surrounding area is one of the oldest continuously inhabited
sites in the world. On a mount overlooking the Jericho oasis,
excavations have uncovered settlements dating from 9000 BC
and the Oldest Walled Town (7000 BC) yet discovered. Jericho
deserves a visit as the history is absorbing and the atmosphere
with numerous outdoor cafŽs and excellent restaurants, is
refreshingly laid-back.
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• The Dead Sea
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At a maximum depth of 400 meters below sea level, the Dead Sea
is by far the lowest spot on the surface of the earth. Its high
salt content of about 25 percent above that of an average sea
makes it impossible for any form of life to live in its waters.
However, it makes swimming an extraordinary experience, as it
is impossible to sink! The mud and minerals of the Dead Sea
are natural healers of skin diseases and invigorate healthy
skin.
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• Hisham’s Palace
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The site is 2km north of Jericho and was built by the Omayyad
Calif, Hisham Ibn Abdul Malek. The remains are of a magnificent
winter palace which was destroyed by an earthquake in 747A.D.
shortly after construction. The site contains royal buildings,
a mosque, water fountains and spectacular mosaic floors.
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• Nabi Musa
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Nabi Musa in Arabic means "the prophet Moses" who is recognized as
one of the great prophets of Islam. Maqam Nabi Musa has been
the site of an annual pilgrimage festival since the time of
Salah ad-Din. Set in an awe-inspiring landscape 20km east of
Jerusalem, Maqam Nabi Musa is a splendid example of medieval
Islamic architecture. The present shrine, mosque, minaret, and
some of the rooms were built in 1269 AD while successive additions
brought the site to its present day shape in 1475 AD.
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• Qumran and Ein Fashka
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Located
20km south of Jericho, on the western shore of the Dead Sea,
is the site where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were found. The
discovery of the Scrolls was made in 1947 by an Arab shepherd
looking for a stray goat in the western region of the Dead Sea.
Seven scrolls were found, the most famous being the scroll of
Isaiah, which is one foot wide and 24 feet long. Excavations
at the site found more than 900 pieces of scrolls in more than
30 caves. Except for two scrolls written on copper, all the
scrolls were written on leather and papyrus. Covering a period
of 300 years, the writings in the scrolls include the birth
of Christ and offer insights and a background to the teachings
of Christ.
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• Deir Quruntal and Monastery of Temptation
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The
summit of Mt. Temptation, rising to a height of 350 meters above
sea level and commanding a magnificent view of the Jordan Valley,
is the site where Jesus spent forty days and nights fasting
and meditating during the temptation of Satan. A monastery was
built in the sixth century over the cave where Christ stayed.
The path leading to Deir Quruntel is very steep and difficult
to climb, but is well worth the walk. The nearly 30-40 caves
on the eastern slopes of the mountain have been inhabited by
monks and hermits since the early days of Christianity.
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• Tell as-Sultan (ancient Jericho) |
The
ancient city of Jericho is located 2km from the northwestern
outskirts of Jericho. Situated on a mound overlooking the Jericho
oasis, excavations at Tell al-Sultan uncovered 23 layers of
ancient civilizations, dating back to 9000 BC. Many structures
are visible, including the oldest known stairs in the world,
the oldest wall, and the massive defense tower, dating back
to 7000 BC.
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• Wadi Kilt & Monastery of St. George (Deir al-Qelt)
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Wadi
Qelt is a natural rift in the hills with high, sheer rock walls,
extending 45km between Jerusalem and Jericho. Hermits have inhabited
the Wadi since the third century. Today, it is a wonderful place
for hiking tours, especially in the winter. The Monastery of
St. George is carved out of the rock and clings to the canyon
walls impressively. Built in the fifth century, the monastery
was destroyed during the Persian invasion of Palestine. Most
of the present monastery dates back to the 1901 restoration
by the Greek Orthodox Church.
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• Good Samaritan Inn (Al-Khan al-Ahmar)
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Located 10 km east of Jerusalem, on the main road to Jericho,
al-Khan al-Ahmar is a 16th century structure where travelers
on this ancient trade route stopped to rest. Today, a souvenir
shop and a Bedouin tent serving refreshments to tourists occupy
the inn. On the other side of road are the remains of St.
Euthymius Church, built in the fifth century to commemorate
the famous story of the Good Samaritan.
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• The Jordan River
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The Jordan River is an unusual stream that flows from 3,000
feet above sea level at Mt. Hermon in Syria to the Dead Sea
at 1,300 feet below sea level. With an average width of 100
feet, the Jordan River twists and curves for 160 miles but
covers a straight-line distance of only 65 miles. Jesus came
to the Jordan River from Galilee to be baptized by John. Since
then, the river has been important to all Christians, the
many of whom get baptized there.
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