Exploring Mount Nebo, Jordan

Mount Nebo, Jordan is located on an area north of the Dead Sea that sits high on a ridge. According to the Bible, Mount Nebo is the place where Moses was allowed to see the Promised Land he would never enter (after guiding his people out of Egypt for 40 years!).  Exploring Mount Nebo is a neat activity that does not require more than a couple of hours but is very rewarding.

Moses, I suppose

Today, without Moses around, this sign does the job of pointing to the Promised Land

Mt. Nebo overlooks the valley of the River Jordan and one can glimpse Jericho and Jerusalem to the west on a good day.  The site was visited by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI at some point giving the site an added level of credibility, if you will, as a site of religious importance.

Welcome to Mt. Nebo!

It is also claimed that good ole Moses is buried there.  However, as with many similar claims, there is no conclusive evidence (as conclusive as one may expect a few thousand years later…).  Whether any of this interests you or not, the views of the valley below are certainly worth visiting this important archeological site.

Some of the view

Visiting Mount Nebo

There was a small temporary-looking exhibit at the site showing some of the beautiful mosaics of the remains of a church found in the first half of the 20th century on Mt. Nebo.  It really makes you ponder the history of the place and the area and all the events it has witnessed over time.  It is mind-boggling.

Part of the mosaics

Color manages to survive close to two millenia

Up close and personal

The place is crowded with tourists of all ages and that distracts a little, for sure, from the importance of the place.  Perhaps some construction during the time of my visit contributed to the small sense of chaos, though there were moments when I was glad there was chaos and a crowd…

Young Mt. Nebo visitors

Another school kid visiting the site

I was patient, though, and I was rewarded when the key spot where Moses stood cleared up for a good 5 minutes and I was able to soak it all in better during that pause in the visitors.

Let ME show you the Promised Land

So, in case you have not been there, allow me show you the Promised Land!  Can you imagine how that looked back in the time of Moses?  I imagine from that altitude and distance, not much has likely changed…

“Over yonder!” says this modern-day Moses-wanna-be

During this trip, I was a guest of the Jordan Tourism Board.  That notwithstanding, the stories I share were my real experiences and nothing else.  As they always are!