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THE
DEAD SEA, MUJIB NATURE RESERVE
& LOT'S CAVE
THE
DEAD SEA
The
Dead Sea has an historical and spiritual
legacy of its own. It is believed to
be the site of five biblical cities:
Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and
Zoar (Bela). Today its eastern shore
is sparsely populated and serenely quiet.
With much of the landscape virtually
unchanged since ancient times, this
is a favourite spot for a holiday drive.
Spend the day sunbathing, swimming,
or dining. Relax in the gently lapping
waters - you cannot sink! Treat yourself
to a soothing massage, or try the well-known
healing powers of minerals from the
sea's muddy floor. If you would like
a more leisurely stay, spend the night
at a comfortable hotel that looks across
the sea to the western banks and up
the Moab hills directly behind.
MUJIB
NATURE RESERVE
The
Mujib Nature Reserve is located within
the spectacular Wadi Mujib gorge, which
enters the Dead Sea at 410 metres below
sea level. The reserve extends to the
Karak and Madaba mountains, reaching 900
metres above sea level in some places.
This 1,300 metre variation in elevation,
combined with the valley's year-round
water flow, means that Wadi Mujib enjoys
a magnificent biodiversity. Some 420 species
of plants, 10 species of carnivores and
102 species of birds have been recorded
- and the survey continues. The horned
ibex, a strikingly beautiful mountain
goat, is living here in growing numbers
- also thanks to the Royal Society for
the Conservation of Nature's (RSCN) captive
breeding programme. The caracal, a medium-sized
cat with long ear tufts, can be spotted
here in action, using its amazing jumping
power to catch airborne pray
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Permits
for hiking and camping at the designated
campsite can be received from the RSCN,
tel. (06)5337931. The RSCN is organising
guided tours and is offering 4WD vehicle
rides for the access road between the
Dead Sea Highway and the ibex station,
where you can watch the ibex in their
enclosure. Hiking down the narrow gorge
is spectacular and implies wading through
the river and at times also swimming
LOT'S
CAVE
One of the most significant archaeological
discoveries in Jordan is the location
of Lot's Sanctuary near modern Safi.
For decades, guided by the Madaba mosaic
map of Palestine, which pointed to the
existence of such a site, archaeologists
have searched for ancient Zoar. Here,
Lot and his daughters are believed to
have sought refuge in a cave after God
destroyed the city of Sodom, according
to the book of Genesis.
The
cave is on a hill near a tiny spring,
overlooking the Dead Sea. A dried pillar
of salt nearby is supposed to be the remains
of Lot's wife, who disobeyed God's warning
not to look back as she fled Sodom.
A
beautiful Byzantine monastery, the complex
by the cave included a church with mosaic
floor and an inscription which mentions
the name of Lot, with living quarters
and burial chambers. The place has been
inhabited long before, as artefacts from
3,000 BC are proving.
SHOPPING
Dead Sea products: The
intense salinity of the Dead Sea, and
its generous store of magnesium, potassium,
calcium chloride and other minerals, makes
Dead Sea products ideal as natural beauty
aids and bath salts. You can find them
on site at the Dead Sea spa hotels, or
in pharmacies and boutiques in Amman.
WHERE
TO EAT & STAY
The following hotels at the northern Dead
Sea coast offer bathing and health facilities:
*****
Jordan Valley Marriott Resort
& Spa, tel. (05) 3560400
fax (05) 3560444. Ten restaurants.
Movenpick Resort & Spa,
tel. (05) 3561111 fax (05) 3561122. Five
restaurants.
****
Dead Sea Spa Hotel, tel.
(05) 3561000 fax (05) 3561012. Two restaurants.
HOW
TO GET THERE
The
Dead Sea is a popular day trip from Amman
and many Jordanians go there on Fridays.
By car or taxi: The Dead Sea is less than
an hour's drive from Amman.
For the Mujib Nature Reserve drive about
30 km south of the hotel resort area,
until you reach the Mujib Bridge, where
a small reserve office is located (call
in advance).
For the Sanctuary of Lot continue south
until you reach Safi, then follow the
signs to your left.
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