Things to see and do Mont Nebo

The museum. Take a look at the small museum at the entrance of the site, which houses some beautiful mosaics. You can then visit the remains of the Byzantine basilica and the superb mosaics that have been uncovered. One of them, measuring 9 m x 3 m, dates from 530 and represents pastoral and hunting scenes, as well as numerous animals: ostrich, zebra, lions... The state of conservation is exceptional. Moving towards the apse, we notice other mosaics, one of which represents two gazelles at the foot of a date palm. The authorities have built a shelter to protect the remains, near the small Franciscan monastery.

The panorama. At the back of the site, from the viewpoint, one can enjoy, on a clear day, an extraordinary view of the surrounding mountains and valleys: the Dead Sea, the Judean mountains, the oasis of Jericho, the Jordan Valley... On a clear day, one can even see Jerusalem some 45 km away. An orientation table allows you to find your bearings.

Near the viewpoint, you will also see a large bronze cross overlooking the valley: this memorial is the work of Gian Paolo Fantoni, an artist from a Florentine art school. It represents the serpent raised by Moses in the desert and the crucifixion of Jesus. The renovations of the Moses Memorial were completed in 2016, after several years of work.

For your personal information, Mount Nebo is not the highest peak in the region, but is simply the last peak before the vast Ghor Depression.

Under the guise of a museum-restaurant, this centre is more commercial than cultural. It can nevertheless constitute an interesting stage with young children. Scenes of ordinary Bedouin tribal life are recreated here with mannequins. One can see the baker baking his bread or the interior of a Bedouin tent, traditional costumes and models representing Petra, the Tower of Babel or a scene from the Nativity. Handicrafts are also represented, especially mosaics, where local women work before your eyes.