Jordan Allocates $120 Million to Develop Jesus’ Baptism Site
The project aims to prepare the site for the 2,000th anniversary of Jesus Christ’s baptism and increase annual visitors from 200,000 to one million.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Jordan has launched a major $120 million development project around the site known as Al-Maghtas on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, seeking to prepare for the 2,000th anniversary of the baptism of Jesus Christ and transform the area into a major Christian pilgrimage destination.
The Jordanian government signed four agreements to develop the area surrounding the site, with plans including a museum, a comprehensive pilgrim village, infrastructure upgrades, and a green corridor covering 1,400 dunams.
The project is being implemented under the supervision of Prime Minister Jaafar Hassan and the direction of King Abdullah II, with the stated aim of attracting up to one million visitors annually while preserving the site's historical identity.
Under the development plan, $50 million has been allocated to build the Baptism of Jesus Museum, while another $40 million will fund a pilgrim village.
The museum will cover 5,500 square meters and showcase the history of the site.
The pilgrim village will include hotels, restaurants, churches, and visitor reception centers, allowing religious tourists to stay in the area for longer periods.
A further $27 million has been allocated for water, electricity, roads, and solar energy networks, while $3 million will be spent on creating a green corridor and protecting the area's environment.
According to the timetable, preliminary work on the museum and pilgrim village is scheduled to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2027.
The projects are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2029, one year before the major celebrations planned for 2030.
The site, known as Al-Maghtas or Bethany Beyond the Jordan, holds major significance for Christians, who believe that John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ there.
The site was opened to visitors in 2002 after the 1994 peace agreement between Jordan and Israel and the removal of landmines. It has since received visits from several Vatican popes.
Jordan aims to use the development project to increase annual visitors from around 200,000 to one million.
The baptism, or baptismal rite, is a sacred Christian ritual in which water is poured over a person or the person is fully immersed in water. It is regarded as a symbol of cleansing from sins and spiritual rebirth according to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and is considered a key rite for membership in the church and receiving a Christian religious identity.
The development plan seeks to expand the site's tourism infrastructure while maintaining its historical significance and status on UNESCO's World Heritage List, where it has been registered since 2015.