TMCnet News
Planners seek to expand Baptism Site experience for tourists [Jordan Times, Amman :: ](Jordan Times, The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 23--DEAD SEA -- Work is currently under way to turn the key Christian archaeological location, Bethany beyond the Jordan, into a full-fledged site of pilgrimage for Christians. This will be done by preserving the area's natural reserve and religious sites and blending them into one identity that is likely to attract more religious tourism and prolong the period visitors stay at the location, according to the site officials. Baptism Site Commission Director Dia Madani told The Jordan Times that the site's board of directors decided to improve the infrastructure and revitalise the spiritual significance of the holy site, where Christ is believed to have been baptised by John the Baptist. He added that in addition to trained tour guides, priests will also assist in explaining the area's history to both pilgrims and tourists. "Other improvements include opening additional trails for visitors, and others for people with disabilities, in addition to building more wooden shelters and shades near the river, by utilising indigenous materials available in the area," Madani said. He also added that the site, which is 35km away from the capital and 10km from the Dead Sea, will stay true to its original nature. "Palm trees can be a nice decoration but they are not in line with the original theme of the place which we are striving to protect and maintain." With regards to the construction work on the churches, Madani said that the commission's vision is to restore the site to its original structure the way it was 500 years ago. Back then, he explained, monks and clergymen inhabited the area and established monasteries in caves on top of hills. Madani also noted that commission members and archaeologists turned to the Bible as a guide for their archaeological restorations. "Given the unique biblical and spiritual history of the area, any development for tourism and pilgrimage purposes should include careful consideration when it comes to construction or modification of the landscape." Assistant Baptism Site Commission Director Rustom Mkhjian explained the difference between visitors and pilgrims to the place. "Visitors come to tour the area and check out the archaeological sites and river; many request that an asphalt road and shuttles be added to assist them as walking the 4.5-kilometre path is too tiring," Mkhjian told The Jordan Times. He added that the area's spirituality comes from the fact that it was home to some of the greatest biblical prophets, who include Moses, Joshua, Elisha and John the Baptist. "Pilgrims spend their time on this spiritual trip, meditating on the biblical stories they have known and read," he said, adding that pilgrims can also request to have religious ceremonies preformed there. "Christ's Baptism is the embodiment of the Christian faith, and it sprang from here [Bethany of Jordan]," he said. Mkhjian said that His Holiness Pope Francis, during his visit in May, will meet with Syrian and Iraqi refugees, as well as people with disabilities, at Bethany. Madani said that the commission has succeeded in not only preserving the nature of the area, but also in bringing back some of the area's wildlife. ___ (c)2014 the Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan) Visit the Jordan Times (Amman, Jordan) at www.jordantimes.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |