St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Medieval monastery near Jordan River, Jordan
St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church is a rectangular monastery complex located near the Jordan River at Qasr el Yahud. The structure features crenellated perimeter walls and houses an Acropolis Museum within its vaulted basement level.
The site appears on the 4th-century Madaba map labeled as 'The Baptism of St. John', reflecting its early Christian importance. The original Byzantine church was built on elevated arches specifically to protect the building from Jordan River flooding.
The tradition links this site to the crossing of Israeli tribes over the Jordan River, as recorded in biblical texts. The name Bethabara carries deep religious meaning for Christian visitors today.
Visiting requires attention to ground conditions near the river, which can become slippery after rain. Proper footwear is advisable and the uneven terrain should be anticipated when planning your visit.
The basement houses a 3000-year-old Moabite well that remains functional, revealing how ancient inhabitants engineered water solutions for this riverside location. This operational well demonstrates the practical ingenuity of those who lived here centuries ago.
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