Israel’s Tourism Ministry has reopened access to the historic Saint George Monastery lookout in the Judean Desert, restoring access to a popular destination for Christian pilgrims and international visitors.
The fifth-century Greek Orthodox monastery is dramatically built into the steep cliffs of the Judean Desert near Jericho and is one of the region’s most distinctive religious landmarks.
Home to a small community of monks, the monastery has long attracted Christian pilgrims and tourists travelling between Jerusalem, Jericho and the Dead Sea.
Read more: US Candidate Proposes Trade Ban on Turkey Over Hagia Sophia
Its spectacular location, overlooking a deep desert gorge, has made it a significant stop for visitors exploring the area’s Christian heritage and ancient religious sites.
The reopening of the lookout provides visitors with another opportunity to experience the monastery’s remarkable setting and its centuries-old connection to Orthodox Christianity.
Founded in the 5th century by hermit monks seeking solitude in the Judean Desert, it was later dedicated to St. George of Koziba. The monastery’s dramatic setting, perched above a desert canyon with flowing streams, has made it a destination for pilgrims, travelers, and seekers of peace for centuries.
Despite its isolation, the monastery remains active, inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks who maintain the sacred site and welcome visitors. Reaching it requires a walk through Wadi Qelt’s striking desert landscape, where the silence and rugged beauty evoke the early spirit of monasticism.
