In the final episode of this season, we explore the fascinating city, often heralded as the ancient cradle of civilization, Jericho. As the journey from Jerusalem to Jericho progresses, the landscape undergoes a noticeable transformation. The terrain gradually shifts into a desert-like environment characterized by sand and rocky formations.
Arriving at the point that marks sea level and passing it, we plunge into a realm permeated with a deep past and historical significance. Situated in the Jordan Valley near the Jordan River in the west bank of Palestine, just 40 kilometers from Jerusalem, Jericho holds the unique world record of being the lowest city on the planet, lying about 258 meters below sea level. The first stop towards Jericho is Nabi Musa.
Positioned in the heart of the Judean desert, Nabi Musa is renowned for its impressive mosque and spacious complex, which are notable examples of Mamluk architecture. But what exactly is Nabi Musa, and why does it hold such significance? According to some Islamic tradition, Nabi Musa is believed to be the final resting place of the Prophet who spoke directly to God, Moses.
Although the actual location of Moses' grave is unknown, the tradition holds that Saladin Ayyubi had a dream in which he was shown this area. He had a small mosque erected on the site, which was later expanded by Mamluk Sultan Baybars in the 13th century. The mosque complex features a grand central dome, numerous smaller white domes, numerous rooms, a distinctive minaret that rises proudly against the desert skyline, and a tomb believed to be that of Moses. Beyond its religious importance, Nabi Musa has played a crucial role in the social and cultural life of the Palestinian community.
One of those gatherings is the Nabi Musa festival, which dates back centuries, originating during the early Ottoman period. It became the largest Islamic festival in the region, featuring a week-long celebration and pilgrimage to Moses' tomb. This pilgrimage, one of the oldest in Palestinian Islamic culture, is a time of communal prayers, religious ceremonies, and festive gatherings. Traditional songs and dances fill the air, and communal meals are shared, reinforcing cultural identity and preserving historical practices that showcase the local Islamic and civic heritage of Palestine.
attracting pilgrims from around the world to this day. Leaving Nabi Musa, our journey leads us toward the city itself. In dramatic contrast to its desert surroundings, Jericho through the desert is a place of peace and tranquility. thrives as a fertile oasis, often referred to in the Old Testament as the City of Palms.
Deuteronomy 34.3 The Negev and the Plain, that is, the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palm Trees, as far as Zor. As in the Old Testament, Jericho plays an important role in the New Testament as well. Along the main road of the Jordan Valley, all the synoptic Gospels note Jesus passing through on his way to Jerusalem.
Luke recounts how Jesus healed a blind man and met Zacchaeus, a wealthy chief tax collector. Short in stature, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who then said, Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today. Zacchaeus repented to Jesus, promising to give half of his wealth to the poor and to repay anyone he had cheated fourfold. Today, as part of the Russian Museum in Jericho, alongside antiques from various periods, There is a living relic in the courtyard, a tree that according to Christian tradition is believed to be the very sycamore that Zacchaeus climbed to see the Savior.
This sycamore is one of the oldest and largest in the entire region, standing as a monumental link to the biblical story of Zacchaeus. It has become a symbol of transformation, repentance, and the powerful message that no one is beyond God's mercy, even the greatest of sinners. Continuing with the exploration of this legendary city, we come to one of the best preserved buildings and one of the most important early Islamic archaeological sites in the occupied West Bank, Hisham's Palace. Hisham's palace is an Umayyad castle dating back to the mid-8th century, built during the rule of the Umayyad Caliph Hisham ibn Abdul Malik, after whom it is named.
The palace is notable for its intricate structural structure. design and elaborate interiors, borrowing elements from the region's pre-Islamic Byzantine rulers. Featuring one of the world's largest floor mosaics, the palace served as a winter retreat for the Umayyads.
An earthquake hit the Jordan Valley in 749 AD and destroyed much of the palace. But Palestinian officials have worked on restoring the structure to its former glory over the past two decades with help from international donors. The two-story palace once spanned an area of around 30,000 square meters, or 7.5 acres, separated into 22 different sections, and included a large hammam, or bath, a mosque, a fountain and gated walls.
The focus of the palace opposite the entrance was the rosette, or star window, discovered in the main court by excavators. This star has now become a famous symbol of... Jericho. The most exceptional feature of this property is the bathhouse complex. The rounded arches were designed to support the structure of the building and the vaulting system was built using brick and rested on 16 massive stone piers in four rows.
Carved stones, statues and murals were used to decorate the hammam and the reception hall placed directly beneath the dome of the hammam is one of the largest mosaic murals in the world, made up of stones of 21 different colors. The design of the decorative mural consists of a basket of flowers surrounded by geometric shapes, forming a rose that expands outward. This carpet, with all its components, is a unique example of mosaic work.
It is an extraordinary worldwide masterpiece of mosaic art. One of the most prominent and recognized features of the palace is the Tree of Life mural. located in the Caliph's Diwan, where he would receive his guests.
The mural is packed full of philosophical symbolism reflecting the nature of life. On the right of the tree, a lion devours a gazelle, and on the left, two gazelles graze peacefully. The images symbolize the duality of life, good and evil, war and peace. Hisham's palace remains one of the most highly sophisticated Umayyad palaces in the region, exemplifying the evolution of early Islamic architecture by blending native and imported design elements.
These cultures are still in use today. characteristics, along with the mosaic work unparalleled in any other Roman Byzantine or Umayyad carpet in the world, emphasize its extraordinary universal value on the World Heritage List. Another biblical site can be found high on the slopes above Jericho, where a stunning Greek Orthodox monastery is perched on the cliffs.
This mountain is believed to be the site where Jesus stayed during his fast, known as the Mount of Temptation. According to the Synoptic Gospels, after being baptized by John the Baptist, Jesus went into the wilderness, led by the Holy Spirit, to fast for 40 days and 40 nights. During that period, Satan appeared to Jesus and tried to tempt him three times. These temptations involved bread, power, and worldly recognition. After refusing each temptation, the Prince of Peace caused Satan to depart and then returned to Galilee to begin his ministry.
Throughout this entire time of spiritual battle, Jesus was fasting. This period of fasting became the model for the practice of Lent in Christian churches. The Mount of Temptation was identified by Augusta Helena of Constantinople as one of the holy sites during her pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
in the 4th century. Afterwards, a Byzantine monastery was constructed on the site, with one of its main features being a stone, where, according to tradition, Jesus sat during one of his temptations. The current monastery, owned and managed by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was reconstructed at the end of the 19th century after being destroyed, rebuilt, and damaged through various periods. It now appears to grow out of the mountain offering a stunning panoramic view of the Jordan Valley.
The story of Jesus' temptation is a powerful reminder of endurance, strength, and unwavering faith. Being at this sacred summit, one cannot help but feel a deep connection with their Savior and the trials he faced here over two millennia ago, inspiring contemplation of personal journeys through temptation and belief. Although the buildings and places we visited hold extraordinary historical and religious significance for world heritage, most of them date back to the Middle Ages. Even when considering the biblical story of Jericho, known as the Middle Ages, for its role in the Hebrew Bible, its history extends far beyond that. Jericho is famously associated with Joshua, Moses' successor, who led the Israelite tribes in the conquest of Canaan after the exodus from Egypt around 1400 BC.
The book of Joshua describes how the Israelites, following God's instructions, marched around Jericho's walls once a day for seven days before blowing their horns, causing the city's mighty walls to crumble and allowing them to fall. to conquer the city. While this is an ancient story, Jericho's history predates the arrival of the Israelites by thousands of years, dating back to an era when mammoths still roamed the earth. So, how old is Jericho, and who built this biblical city, and when?
Is this place really one of the first cities on earth where humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer societies to sedentary and complex civilizations? There are many questions and myths that need to be answered, and we will explore them in the upcoming video of Jericho's story. We'll delve into the city's age, its builders, and the timeline of human settlement here. To uncover these mysteries, be sure to subscribe and like this video so you don't miss the second part and the fascinating history of this ancient city of palm trees.