Jericho is a city in the West Bank, of Palestine. This place may not look like much at first, but it is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in the world. It makes one of the best places to visit in the West Bank for anyone interested in history. This city has 10 thousand years of almost continuous settlement. Jericho is also the city with the oldest known defensive wall. It is the lowest city in the world, with more than 350 meters below sea level in an oasis that is considered the largest in the entire Middle East. Jericho is located a few kilometers north of the northern tip of the Dead Sea.
Here are the Best Tourist Attractions in Jericho
1. Mount of Temptation
The hillside of Qarantal, which is about four kilometers northwest of the center of Jericho, is a significant place in Christian tradition. Mount of Temptation is usually known as the hill where Jesus Christ fasted after being baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. It is a prominent attraction for Christian tourists. In the year 340 St. Chariton constructed a church atop the hill. A second chapel was added next to the cave where it is believed that Jesus took refuge. The Sarandarion Monastery was built by the Greek Orthodox Church in 1895 after they had purchased the land in 1875. This place is located halfway up the hill. Visitors can take the Jericho Cable Car from Jericho to the peak instead of hiking. They can explore the fantastic views of the surrounding area.
2. St. George’s Monastery
St. George’s Monastery is known as the Monastery of Choziba or Mar Jaris. The monastery of St. George is located on the West Bank, not far from the Dead Sea. It was established in AD 480 and was first devoted to the Virgin Mary. Until the Persians destroyed it in AD 614 and left it in ruins, it had a thriving monk community. The current structures were built in the late 19th century. It has some intriguing works of religious art. To reach the monastery’s main entrance, visitors must ascend a gravel route. The interior of the church honoring the Virgin Mary is filled with exquisite icons and paintings. However, the Church of St. John and St. George still has a sixth-century mosaic floor.
3. Wadi Qelt
Wadi Qelt is a valley, a riverine gulch in the West Bank. This lush valley is a calm slash of green amid the barren hills. Wadi Qelt is home to a unique variety of flora and fauna. This place is a beautiful spot with gushing freshwater springs and palm trees and the restful atmosphere has attracted ascetics for centuries. Many monastery communities have set up camp here through the years. Herod the Great built an aqueduct, which was repaired during the British Mandate. The Romans also built a road along this ancient route between Jerusalem and Jericho. During Christian times, solitary lived in caves in this wild mountain country. It led to the foundation of St. George’s Monastery. Wadi Qelt is an amazing place for hiking or picnicking.
4. Qasr el Yahud
Qasr el Yahud is also known as Al-Maghtas. It is one of the locations holding for the name of Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. This place is located right next to the Jordan River. Another Jordanian site is located across the muddy, constrained, and shallow Jordan River. If one doesn’t want to travel to Jordan, this location serves its purpose well. While the practice of pilgrims submerging themselves in the water is common.
5. Inn of the Good Samaritan
Inn of the Good Samaritan is a national park, museum, ancient archaeological site, and former inn administered by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority located near Ma’ale Adumim. A Jewish temple and a Byzantine church have been found here because of excavations. There is a museum next to the ruins, which is jam-packed with additional artifacts from the site including well-preserved mosaics. Visitors can halt en route to or from Jerusalem.