The Jordan – Israel Trail is rich with history, dotted with ancient monuments and natural wonders. The monuments along this trail are a dream come true for history buffs. The nations of Jordan, and Israel boast a rich cultural and historical heritage. The area is home to some of the most famous and well-preserved historical monuments and archaeological sites.
From the awe-inspiring ruins of Petra to the most venerated sites in Christendom, if you plan a trip to Jordan – Israel, make sure you include these stunning sites in your itinerary.
The Dead Sea
Float away on the healing and enriching waters of the Dead Sea, which is the saltiest, deepest hyper-saline lake in the world! The waters of the dead sea have a high concentration of salts and minerals that have health benefits, alleviate allergies, skin conditions, respiratory conditions and more!
Set aside an evening in your itinerary to soak in the goodness of this naturally occurring spa. Sadly, the Dead Sea is receding at an alarming rate, so you might want to visit it while you still can.
Petra
Next on your list has to be the mesmerizing archaeological site of Petra, which is one of the “New 7 Wonders of The World”. It is believed, that Petra was home to an ancient settlement dating back to 9,000 BC. According to local folklore, the city was created when Moses, a prophet, struck the rock to bring forth water for the Israelites.
Awe-inspiring mega monuments carved from rock, line the canyon walls. Take an afternoon out and bask in the rich archaeological heritage of this long extinct civilization.
Wadi Rum and Khazali Mount
The Wadi Rum is a gorgeous valley, in southern Jordan. This locale has been home to several human cultures since pre-historic times. The valley is known for its arid, picturesque landscape, pre-historic wall paintings, graffiti and temples.
The Khazali canyon is a narrow crack in Mount Khazali, however, it is one of the the most famous places in the Wadi Rum desert. The canyons walls are adorned with inscriptions, ancient graffiti and rock drawings.
Mount Nebo
According to Christian tradition, this ridge is thought to be the burial place of the prophet Moses. This makes it a place of pilgrimage for Catholics. The stunning remains of the historic Byzantine church here, are worth a visit.
Church Of Nativity
For Christian travelers, the most important stop on the Jordan – Israel trail, would be the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. The Church was commissioned by the Emperor Constantine in the year 327. It was built on what was believed to be, the birthplace of Jesus Christ.
The Church covers 12,000 Sq. meters and consists of three different monasteries, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Apostolic, and Roman Catholic. Catholic or not, this monument is an awe inspiring testament of man’s devotion to the divine and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Golgotha
Calvery, A.K.A. Golgotha is believed to be the site of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Today, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, marks the spot. It is the most venerated site in all of Christendom.
Before the construction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the site was said to have been home to the temple of Aphrodite, the Greek Goddess of love.
Jaffa (Tel Aviv)
Imagine being able to visit a site so old, that it makes an appearance in tales from ancient Greek and Christian mythology! Archaeological evidence suggests traces of settlement at Jaffa as far back as 7500 BC, making it the world’s oldest known sea-port.
The Andromeda Rock, the Basilica of St. Peter, the Al-Bahr Mosque, are all stunning sites you must experience. Just walking down the stone stairs of St. Peter’s Church is enough to take you back in time to when prophets walked these streets.
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Written by: Caryn Putman
Caryn is a Social Media expert and history buff, desperate for any chance to travel. She loves animals more than most people and prefers sunny days at the beach to freezing mountaintops.
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