Yardenit

The Yardenit Baptismal Site near Bet Yerah

Yardenit (Hebrew: ירדנית‎), also known as the Yardenit Baptismal Site, is a baptism site located along the Jordan River in the Galilee region of northern Israel, which is frequented by Christian pilgrims. The site is located south of the river's outlet from the Sea of Galilee, near Kibbutz Kvutzat Kinneret, which owns and manages the site.

According to Christian tradition, the baptism of Jesus (Matthew, 3: 13-17) actually took place in Qasr el Yahud, north of the Dead Sea and east of Jericho. For centuries, Qasr al Yahud was the most important baptism site for pilgrims, and monasteries and guest houses were established near it. After the Six-Day War Qasr el Yahud became a frontier area, located on the border between the state of Israel and Jordan. As a result, the Israeli Ministry of Tourism decided to establish this site in 1981 as a replacement site. As a result, "Yardenit" became the only regulated baptism site on the Israeli side of the river, until the reopening of Qasr el Yahud site in 2011.[1][2]

The site currently averages 400,000 visitors each year representing all faiths[3]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. ↑ Stourton, Edward (2009-09-15). "Baptism battles on River Jordan". BBC. Retrieved 2012-08-19.
  2. ↑ Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The Rough Guide. 1998. p. 214. ISBN 1858282489.
  3. ↑ "Facilities". Yardenit. Retrieved 2012-08-19.

External links

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Coordinates: 32°42′40″N 35°34′17″E / 32.71111°N 35.57139°E