Qasr al-Yahud

Welcome to the sun drenched expanse of the Jordan Valley. You have arrived at Qasr al Yahud, a name that translates from Arabic as the Castle of the Jews. …

As you begin your walk from the main entrance toward the riverbank, the landscape opens up into a scene that feels almost surreal. The atmosphere is stark and unforgiving, resembling a ghost town from a classic western movie. …

Emerging from the desolate path of the abandoned monasteries, your eyes are immediately drawn to a structure that defies the surrounding decay. Standing proudly against the stark desert backdrop is the Greek Orthodox Church of St. …

Just a short distance from the gleaming Greek Orthodox church, we encounter another cluster of structures that tell a highly specific and poignant story of early twentieth century devotion. Here lie the fragmented remains of the…

Leaving the silent ruins behind, we now arrive at a broad, modern viewing deck that brings us to the very edge of the geopolitical reality of the modern Middle East. This plaza serves as the primary observation point over the…

As we descend the ramps toward the lower banks of the river, our attention must shift to the physical nature of the Jordan River itself. The first impression many visitors have is one of surprise. …

We have finally arrived at the water's edge. Before you are the broad, wooden baptismal steps leading directly down into the flowing Jordan River. …

Turning our backs to the river and looking westward toward the Israeli interior, your eyes are met with an astonishing visual contrast. Beyond the immediate banks of the national park, the arid, white, barren hills of the Judean…

As our journey through Qasr al Yahud draws to a close, we find ourselves standing once more near the entrance plaza, looking out over the magnificent, complex landscape of the Jordan Valley. The intense heat of the desert sun…