Mount Nebo, located in Jordan at approximately 700 meters above sea level, is an important biblical site and a key pilgrimage destination. Part of the Abarim mountain range, it is traditionally believed to be the place where Moses saw the Promised Land before his death. The summit offers a stunning view of the Jordan Valley, with the West Bank, Jericho, and even Jerusalem visible on clear days.
The religious significance of Mount Nebo is deeply rooted in biblical tradition. According to the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses ascended the mountain and viewed Canaan, though he was not allowed to enter. The site is also mentioned in 2 Maccabees, where the prophet Jeremiah is said to have hidden the Ark of the Covenant in a cave. Today, a memorial church and monastery built in the 4th century stand at the summit, marking the site as a place of Christian pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II visited Mount Nebo in 2000, planting an olive tree as a symbol of peace, and Pope Benedict XVI followed in 2009.
The site features important archaeological remains, including Byzantine-era mosaics and the ruins of an early Christian basilica. Excavations began in 1933, uncovering six tombs beneath the church floor and intricate mosaic floors. The modern Memorial of Moses was built to preserve the site, incorporating a protective structure over the basilica to showcase its historic mosaics and provide a worship space. One of Mount Nebo’s most iconic landmarks is the Serpentine Cross sculpture, symbolizing both Moses’ bronze serpent and the crucifixion of Jesus. Today, Mount Nebo remains a spiritual and cultural landmark, drawing visitors from around the world.
- Address
Khirbet al-Mukhayyat, Jordania - Web
None - Visiting Hours
Always open - What to see
Serpentine cross, byzantine mosaics, landscape
