UNESCO World Heritage Committee Declare Site of Jesus' Baptism a World Heritage Site

"UNESCO declared Bethany Beyond the Jordan, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, as a World Heritage site and the location of Jesus' baptism.

"'The decision is logical. The Eastern side is where all the Byzantine antiquities and churches are located,' said Franciscan Father Eugenio Alliata, professor of Christian archaeology at Jerusalem's Studium Biblicum Franciscanum. He said pilgrimages to the Western side began only about 600 years ago. 'But for us it is the Jordan River, the middle, which is the most holy place.'

"For years, Israel and Jordan have been at odds as to which side of the Jordan River is the actual site of Jesus' baptism, as both sides vie for the title to increase tourism. Israel upgraded its shoreline with changing rooms and a wooden deck access to the murky waters.

"But three popes have visited Jordan’s eastern shore as a sign of the Catholic Church's official recognition of the site known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan. The Gospel of John (1:28 and 10:40) records this place as where John the Baptist carried out his baptisms, including that of Jesus."

A recent Catholic News Service article reported on this action by UNESCO.

To access the complete Catholic News Service report, please visit:

Catholic New Service: Jordan bank of river where Jesus baptized declared UNESCO heritage site (16 JUL 15)

Background information:

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)