Sights Near Jericho

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho slices through the harsh desert landscape of the Judean wilderness. About 8km before Jericho the Mosque of Nabi Musa stands on a hill in the sea of sand, a short distance from the road. This spot is revered throughout the Muslim world as the grave of the prophet Moses, and many Muslims yearn to be buried by his side after they die. Islamic tradition holds that God carried the bones of the prophet here for the faithful to come and pay their respects. The 13th-century Mamluk mosque containing the prophet’s tomb has been closed to the public since early 1993.

About 10km east of Jericho is Al-Maghtes, the spot on the Jordan River where John the Baptist is believed to have baptized Jesus. A 19th-century Greek Orthodox monastery marks the spot where Christians still come to immerse themselves. The site is under military supervision and is closed to the public except on one day each in October and January, when the Greek Orthodox and the Roman Catholics, respectively, celebrate the Epiphany. The best way to get there is with a private taxi hired in Jericho. Inquire at the GTIO for updates on the status of these sites.