Jericho


After two days in Jerusalem, we were on the move again heading North.

Our first stop was the ancient city of Jericho. Although only 30km away from Jerusalem, it a world different. Almost 1000 feet below sea level in the Jordan valley, Jericho claims to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It is not hard to see why. An oasis in in the desert, Jericho sits across the main North/South trade route.

The cliff above the old town is supposedly the site where Satan tempted Christ with domain over all he saw. The town is now dominated the pulse gondola which carries tourists and pilgrims to the Greek Orthodox Monastery of Temptation.





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The Monastery itself is perched on the side of the cliff. Women are not allowed to enter.

The continued strategic importance of the site is clear from the radio and military installations on top of the surrounding hills.

Old Jericho (Tel Jericho) is North of the modern city, which remains a green oasis in an otherwise barren area. 



Jericho's claim to antiquity seems to be supported by the extensive archeological digs which have revealed remains of wooden fortifications around 10000 years old.

Joshua is supposed to have destroyed the walls of Jericho. There are remains of old walls consistent with this account and there is even a layer of ash which dates to around the same time.

The holes in the ground are not much to look at, but the history is fascinating.

The area has produced its share of rather tacky places. We stopped at the Mt. of Temptation Restaurant.



Almost everywhere we went there were camels looking for business. Actually, the camels probably were perfectly happy doing nothing.

Last updated on July 17, 2001