Every September, World Rivers Day is celebrated and Jordan is home to one of the most important rivers in the world: the Jordan River.
World Rivers Day has been celebrated since 2005. It is a celebration of the world’s waterways and aims to raise awareness about the importance of rivers and their conservation. Today, World Rivers Day is a global event that celebrates rivers around the world.
The Jordan River is a 156-mile-long river that flows from the north to the south of the kingdom through the Sea of Galilee and into the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. The site is an extremely sacred place in Christianity as it is believed to be the site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ. Additionally, the Jordan River is believed to be the place where John the Baptist began his public ministry and where various baptism ceremonies occurred throughout history.
Physical references have been discovered in the Jordan River area that are associated with Jesus’ baptism ceremony, including a water collection system, pools, churches, chapels, and a monastery, dating back to thousands of years ago. Till today, many Jordanians and visitors to the kingdom choose to be baptized in the Jordan River and baptismal ceremonies frequently occur at the site.
The Baptism Site at the Jordan River has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. According to UNESCO, “these archaeological structures testify to the early beginnings of this attributed importance which initiated the construction of churches and chapels, habitation of hermit caves and pilgrimage activities.”
Today, the Jordan River and its surrounding area are filled with immense history and archaeology, preserved in much the same condition as it was centuries ago. Just a 40-minute drive from Jordan's capital, Amman, visitors can easily plan a trip to explore all that this historic site has to offer.
