Mount of Temptation Monastery

Mount of Temptation Monastery

Mount of Temptation Monastery
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
291 reviews
Excellent
148
Very good
103
Average
29
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3
Terrible
8

Brun066
Florence, Italy11,675 contributions
Aug 2022
Thus, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and Mark, the devil - showing him from above "all the kingdoms of the world" - tempted Jesus, who had withdrawn to this "mountain" for forty days of penance and fasting. (hence the name "Jebel el Quruntul" attributed to it in Arabic) dominating Jericho from its 400 m. of height. Mountain which, rising from the valley floor where Jericho is located, i.e. the lowest altitude city in the world, reaches with its peak only 138 meters above sea level.
Actually, the Gospels don't mention this mountain, they speak generically of "a high place". But since the early centuries of Christianity tradition placed the dispute between Jesus and the devil here, and therefore hermitage places arose on the mountain, arranged in the natural caves, then, in the fourth century AD. C., a Byzantine monastery, ancestor of the current one, dating back to the 19th century.
The current monastery, run by Orthodox Christians since 1905, like its earlier versions, literally clings to the steep side of the mountain. However, walking along the internal alley connecting the monastery buildings, its bold position is not well perceived; but one still "breathes" an atmosphere of recollection and mysticism, which I found pleasant.
Written 19 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

KMLondon22
London, UK172 contributions
Dec 2022
Worth a visit. Monastery is fairly unique with its location, but not a lot to see. The bible story makes it interesting though. Nice cable car ride and good views over Jericho new & old below, together with the Jordan valley. There are some steps to the monastery from the cable car, but nothing really challenging for most levels of fitness. Also a cafe at the top.
Written 13 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Tony C
Bedford, UK1,115 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
In line with its name this is on top of a mountain. Whilst there is an enjoyable cable car ride to get to the initial phase there are a lot of steep steps to get you to top (ie what you came to see).
Some of the views of Jericho below are excellent and this is a destination place if you are in the City.
Be warned though this may be a challenge for people who don’t like heights but perhaps more so it’s a challenge in fitness
Written 25 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Palestine tours
Bethlehem, Palestinian Territories37 contributions
Jun 2022 • Business
Atractive monastery in the Middle of the mountain where Satan tested Jesus after fasting for 40 days in the wilderness.. You can visit this site in the Palestinians Territories. Just contact ( Palestine tours) on FB
Written 24 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

BillPNo1
Friendswood, TX691 contributions
Jul 2019
The Mount of Temptation is the place where the Devil is supposed to have taken Jesus to tempt and lure Him into obeisance to Satan. A more desolate and barren spot would be hard to find anywhere in the world. Viewed from below on the flat land surrounding the mountain, one can - with difficulty - locate the ancient Monastery clinging to the steep side of the Mountain, blending in with the drab colored rock. A single resort is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. The resort and/or the Monastery are accessible via a cable car from the ground below the mountain. From the viewpoint, no foliage or greenery of any kind is visible anywhere on the drab tan slopes. The nearest greenery and foliage is located well below the base of the mountain.
A good place to stop and view from below, but you probably won't want to spend too long looking.
Written 16 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

FredPurdue
Seattle, WA2,239 contributions
Feb 2020
While on a pilgrimage our bus stopped for a few minutes to view Mount Temptation and take a few pictures. We did not ride to the Monastery, which is unfortunate. Nonetheless, we were able to grab a few photos of the mountain and buildings from below. This is landscape photography, so it would be best with a DSRL, good sharp lens, stopped down to its max sharpness f-stop like f/8 or f/11, low ISO, and adjusted white balance for lighting. We had a pocket camera since the pilgrimage mode of travel made it difficult to carry much each day.
Written 21 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

ChrisJS51
Sevenoaks, UK504 contributions
Dec 2019
Take the cable car ride to the top of the Mount to see where Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the wiklderness- or, at least, the place where the Devil suggested He throw Himself down to force God to bring his angels to save Him. Great view over Jericho below, the surrounding wilderness, and the Jordan valley.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Linda Y
Frisco, TX5,649 contributions
Jan 2020
Our tour bus stopped near the cable car parking lot for a view of the Greek Orthodox Monastery and the Mount of Temptation. Cut into the cliff and seeming to float on the face of the rock, the Monastery makes for a dramatic sight. It’s built on the mountain where the Bible says Jesus resisted the devil after his 40-day fast in the desert. Here at the top of the mountain, Satan promised Jesus all the kingdoms in the world if he’d worship Satan. Jesus replied no, we’re to worship and serve only the Lord our God. Our group didn’t have time to ride the cable cars to the Monastery. Even so, the view from below is amazing, and provides an opportunity to witness first-hand the location of this well-loved Bible story. And be sure to try the delicious fresh-squeezed pomegranate juice from the local vendor!
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

runnermaryc
Redondo Beach, CA47 contributions
Dec 2019
I chose to walk there from the ticket station while the tour group I went with waited over an hour to get there. I enjoyed the monastery and the staff who worked there were very helpful and kind.
Written 2 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Jerry M
Yukon, OK2,905 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
We had a group of 20. However we were able to go up the cable cars and attend this beautiful site. The history of it and just knowing that the monks live here and pray endlessly. Breathtaking sites.
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Mount of Temptation Monastery, Jericho

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