This is the place where Scripture tells us that Moses had his look across the Jordan at the Promised Land and where he died. It has been an important site for centuries. I'm told that the 1st church on the mountain dates to the 5th or 6th century, but it was replaced by a Byzantine church. The ruins of that church with it's extensive mosaics is now inside a new building to protect what's left. The new building is a Franciscan Church.
The 1st picture is looking west into the haze above the Promised Land. This is the direction Moses would have looked, but I expect he could see a lot more. The 2nd picture looks to the northeast into Jordan. The 3rd picture looks a bit more to the east. The green area towards the bottom marks the location of one of the Springs of Moses.
The 4th picture looks over more ruins. These are of an ancient monastery. The last 2 pictures are inside the Franciscan Church. The 5th picture looks down the nave and shows the columns of the Byzantine church. The bright spaces are lit glass covering mosaics and an abandoned tomb. The last picture is one of the mosaics: the one I find most striking.Read more
JordanŞiyāghah31°46’2” N 35°43’37” E
JordanŞiyāghah31°46’2” N 35°43’37” E