Qasr El Yahud in Arabic meaning “The Castel of the Jews” is located on the Jordan river about 2 miles East of Jericho.
According to the tradition 3 historical events happened here:
- It is here where the Israelites crossed the Jordan River to inherit the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the dessert.
- The profit Elijah ascended to heaven as described in the book of Kings 2 2 ” And it came to pass as they still went on ,and talked ,that ,behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire. And parted them both asunder and Elijah went up by whirlwind into heaven and Elisha saw it and he cried, my father, my father the chariot of Israel and the horse men thereof “……
- It is here where according to the New Testament (Matthew 3;13-17 )the baptism of Jesus by John took place .
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism invested a few millions of Shekels in the site, and built changing rooms an access road and a wood deck which enables to visit and to conduct baptizing ceremonies in this special site. Around the place, a few churches, some of them old, are located in both sides of the Jordan River, in other words in Israel and in Jordan.
