Jordan Plans Museum, Pilgrims’ Village at Jesus’ Baptism Site

AMMAN, JORDAN — The Jordanian government has signed four agreements to develop the area surrounding Al-Maghtas, traditionally identified as the site of Jesus Christ’s Baptism, ahead of the 2,000th anniversary of the event in 2030.

The agreements were signed Wednesday at the government headquarters in Amman following the inaugural meeting of the National Committee for Preparing the Celebration of the Second Millennium of the Baptism of the Lord. The committee is chaired by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and includes Abp. Christophoros of Kyriakoupolis of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The projects will cover about 350 acres adjacent to the Baptism Site. Plans include a $50 million Museum of the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, a $40 million pilgrims’ and visitors’ village with a hotel, restaurants, shops, a church, and visitor facilities, and $27 million in infrastructure improvements. A further $3 million will fund a green corridor designed to protect biodiversity and expand pedestrian trails.

Preliminary work on the museum and pilgrims’ village is expected to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2027, with major construction scheduled to start later that year. The projects are expected to be completed during the first half of 2029, ahead of the 2030 commemoration.

Jordanian officials said the initiative seeks to preserve the site’s religious and historical character, strengthen Christian pilgrimage, and improve services while highlighting Jordan’s role in protecting Christian holy sites.

Previously, the UOJ reported that King Abdullah and Patr. Theophilos opened Jordan’s first Christian university.