Possibly Jordan’s most revered religious site, Bethany Beyond the Jordan is said to be the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Now a major pilgrimage site and an important stop on most biblical tours of the country, the site is also an interesting destination for non-religious tourists visiting Jordan, thanks to the medieval Byzantine churches on site.
Built in commemoration of the baptism site, the three Byzantine churches are well worth a visit for travellers passing through the area. Two are within walking distance from Bethany and the third is located on southern end of the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
Only half an hour east of Amman, a trip to Bethany can easily be combined with a visit to the cave of the Prophet Lot, the Dead Sea, Wadi Mujib, and Ma’in springs.
