MUKAWIR
The 1st century AD Roman Jewish historian,
Josephus, identified the awe inspiring site of Machaerus (modern –day Mukawir)
as the palace fortress of Herod Antipas, the Roman appointed regional ruler
during the life of Jesus Christ. It was here, at this hilltop fortified palace
overlooking the Dead Sea region and the distant hills of Palestine and Israel
that Herod imprisoned and beheaded John the Baptist ;”He was beheaded after
Salome’s fateful dance” Matthew 14:3-11.
Like its sister site,Masada , on the opposite side of the
Dead Sea, Machaerus was also the scene of a Roman siege during the first Jewish
revolt against Rome.The site is easily reached by car from Madaba.
Mukawir is also one of the designated pilgrimage sites for
the year 2000. The top of Mountain of Mukawir overlooks a breathtaking view of
the Dead Sea. The summit can be reached after a climbing a winding staircase up
the mountain.
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