Al-Fedein

A sixth century Syrian manuscript describes al-Fedein as the southern most monophysite monastery in Syria, but the excavations have revealed much more. The Byzantine monastery is built within the cyclopean walls of an earlier Aramean fortress. Next to the fortress is a Umayyad palace with a bath and mosque. Further east is an Abbasid khan that served pilgrims on the Hajj to Mecca.

Come explore this interesting site hidden away in the middle of the modern city of Mafraq, Jordan.

Khirbet el-Minya

Located on the Ginnosaur plain along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, Khirbet el-Minya is the ruin of a Umayyad palace wrapped in mystery. Its builder and history are largely unknown. Apparently, the palace was used for a short time during the Umayyad period and then again in the Mameluke period (to which some of the remains can be dated).

Khirbat al-Mafjar

Khirbat al-Mafjar has recently been updated.

Khirbat al-Mafjar is an elaborate palace that has traditionally be associated with the caliph Hisham’s palace, but more likely was built by his nephew el-Walid. The only part of the palace that was completed, interrupted due to el-Walid’s assassination, is the bath, with a large pool that served as the frigidarium. An unfinished mosque is also associated with the palace.

Tulul Abu al-Alayiq

Along the Wadi Qelt in Jericho, this site is where the Hasmonian kings and Herod the Great built their winter palaces to escape the cool, damp winters in Jerusalem. Beginning with John Hyrcanus I (or perhaps with his father Simeon), the Hasmonean kings established a royal estate, growing and processing dates and balsam. A large palace, built through seven stages was built at the southern end of the estate. Adjacent to the palace is perhaps the earliest surviving synagogue.

Herod the Great choose the same area for his three palaces. The first palace was built to the south of the Wadi Qelt and is not included in the virtual tour of the site. The second palace was built near the Hasmonean palace and incorporated some of its remains into it. The third palace was Herod's most ambitious and it bridges the Wadi Qelt. Unfortunately, most of the southern extension of the palace is not longer visible.

Hatzeva and Mar Elias

Two sites in the Virtual World Project have recently been updated. Mar Elias is large, five-aisle church and monastery in Jordan near the traditional home town of the prophet Elijah. 

Hatzeva is a series of fortresses in the Arabah, south of the Dead Sea. Many new photos were added to this site.

Kallirrhoë

Kallirrhoë is located at the hot springs of ‘Ain ez-Zara on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea. Herod the Great built a palace along the shore and visited the site just before his death. A smaller Byzantine villa was built over the ruins of Herod’s palace, and the site appears on the mosaic Madaba map. Although poorly preserved, enough of the foundations remain to give the visitor a clear representation of the plan of the place. 

Nitl

Nitl is the home of the ecclesiastical complex of Saint Serguis, a double church and chapel belonging to the Banu Ghassan, Arab foederati (mercenaries) of the Byzantine empire. The town is located a short distance from Madaba in central Jordan and provides new information for understanding the Banu Ghassan.