
The Judean Desert is bordered by the Mountains of the West Bank (Judea) to the west and by the Dead Sea to the east. It is considered a relatively small desert, spanning only 1,500 square kilometers, but it contains many fascinating nature reserves, historic sites, monasteries and ancient panoramas that make it an exciting and unique place to visit.
The Judean desert abounds with breathtaking views that are constantly changing. Mountains, cliffs, and chalk hills stand alongside plateaus, riverbeds, and deep canyons. The width and breadth of the desert is crossed by several rivers that have created canyons up to 500 meters deep. Some of these rivers have water all year round, and create oases such as Nahal Arugot, Nahal Prat, and Nahal David. The ancient cliffs on the eastern edge of the desert rise to a height of 300 meters above the shore of the Dead Sea, and nature reserves such as Ein Gedi and Einot Tzukim lie at their feet.
The Judean Desert is close to Jerusalem and relatively sparsely populated. The few settlements that are there were established at its perimeter. The desert is known for its rugged landscape, which has provided a refuge and hiding place for rebels and zealots throughout history, as well as solitude and isolation to monks and hermits. During the days of the Hasmoneans (about 2,000 years ago) large fortresses such as Massada and Horkenya were established in the desert. During the period of the great rebellion against Rome the last battle of the Jewish zealots was fought on Massada, and during the period of the Second Temple members of the Judean Desert cult lived there.
Several decades ago the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered hidden in a cave in Qumran by an Arab Sheppard, which shed light on the Bible and on the period during which they were written. It is worthwhile to visit Qumran National Park and see the archeological remains of the Jewish settlement that existed there.
Jewish rebels were not the only people who lived in the Judean Desert. During the Byzantine period (approximately 1,500 years ago) a special order of monks known as the Laura lived there and based their lifestyle upon total isolation and solitude. The magnificent monasteries that belonged to monks of this order were built in the cliffs and rock crevasses, with small, personal chambers and cupolas for common meetings during days of prayer.
Many monasteries have been established in the Judean Desert. Some of these are still active, such as the Mar Saba Monastery, and others, like the Mar Jiries are empty and only the ruins remain.
Near the Judean Desert and the monasteries is one of the most important sites in Christianity, the Baptism site on the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. According to Christian tradition, the waters of the Jordan River are sacred, and many pilgrims come to the spot and immerse themselves in the waters.
Cities of the Holy Land
PrevNext Jerusalem Jerusalem is a city of overwhelming emotions, a city that promises a religious and spiritual experience, excitement and pleasure, interesting tours ...
Read more
Akko (Acre) Akko is a city that has been shaped by the Romans, Ottomans, Crusaders, Mamelukes, Byzantines, and British, and fittingly is today home to an divers...
Read more
Ashdod
The best place to begin your visit to the vibrant port city of Ashdod is at Givat Yonah, the towering hill that is the tradition...
Read more
Beer Sheva Be'er Sheva, the modern-day capital of the Negev, has a history going back all the way to Abraham, father of the Biblical Israelite people and a spi...
Read more
Eilat
Eilat Over the years, the city of Eilat has become the ultimate resort city with hotels and beaches packed with thousands of local vacatione...
Read more
Haifa Haifa is a multi-faceted city with several unique characteristics making it an attractive place to visit. Its proximity to the sea and its active port...
Read more
Nazareth Nazareth is a city located in the north. With a population of 75,000, it is the largest Arab city with a mixed but quite harmonious Christian and Mu...
Read more
Tel Aviv Tel Aviv, often called “the city that never sleeps,” was the first modern Jewish city built in the Holy Land, and is the country’s economic and cult...
Read more
Tiberias
Tiberias (Tverya/Tabariyah) demonstrates the essence of vacations in the Holy land. In Tiberias, one can enjoy a variety of activities in a ...
Read more
Safed Safed: A visit to the city of Safed (Tsfat) - with its superb mountaintop setting and fresh, clean mountain air, is a delightful experience.
...
Read more
Bethlehem Bethlehem is a Palestinian city approximately 8 kilometers south of Jerusalem. The city is a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism in the country.<...
Read more
Dead Sea
Dead Sea is the lowest point on earth in any land mass (417 meters below sea level, to be exact). The quantity of water that evaporates from i...
Read more
Massada
Massada is one of the most thrilling and frequently-toured places in the Holy Land, and relates a story of perseverance and power, faith and...
Read more
Beit Shean
Beit Shean (Bisan), a city south of the Sea of Galilee, must have been familiar to the first believers in Jesus, as it was the capital of the ...
Read more
Caesarea
Caesarea is a city of the past and the future, the new sitting across from the ancient. While new Caesarea is adorned with magnificent modern ...
Read more
The Judean Desert The Judean Desert is bordered by the Mountains of the West Bank (Judea) to the west and by the Dead Sea to the east. It is considered a relatively s...
Read more
Sea of Galilee
All winter long, the most important part of the news report for Israelis is not the dollar-shekel exchange rate or the level of the Tel Aviv S...
Read more
Jericho Jericho, the "City of Palms", is a small city within the Palestinian Territories and Israeli-occupied West Bank, close to the northern end of Dead Sea...
Read more