Jericho
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Jericho stretches from the Dead Sea to the Ramallah Mountains. The town itself is an oasis in the desert, a true beehive with a fascinating history, but it almost has a party-like vibe thanks to the ridiculous heat. The city prides itself on being the oldest continuously inhabited place in the world, and its archaeological sites fulfill this noble claim.
The longest continuously inhabited city on earth... the lowest city on earth... Jericho certainly has a lofty reputation that needs to be lived up to - this vibrant and vibrant city is so spectacular. An oasis in a hot, dry desert, this ancient city has many peculiar sights and attractions for visitors to explore.
Note, however, that Jericho may also be the hottest place on Earth, as it sits 900 feet (274.02 m) below sea level. Located 10 kilometers east of Jerusalem and very close to the Dead Sea, Jericho is one of the most popular destinations in Palestine, with restaurants, hotels and amenities to match.
While many Palestinian towns and villages have yet to realize their tourist potential, Jericho has benefited from it and charges a small fee at almost every location in the city. These range from the spectacular cable car to the top of Mount Temptation to the new informative Russian Museum and Gardens, from Ein-as-Sultan Spring to the wonderful archaeological remains of the Hisham Palace. There is a very useful tourist information centre in the central square, where staff provide maps and details of the best places to visit. Jericho has had relatively few conflicts with Israel over the past few decades, which has cemented its status as a safe and friendly tourist hotspot. Its claim to be "the oldest city in the world" is not groundless; archaeologists have discovered the remains of at least 20 consecutive settlements dating back to 9000 BC. trace back. The city oozes a sense of the ancient; even the sycamore tree in the gardens of the Russian museum is 2,000 years old and earns a mention in the Bible. The Hebrew Bible also refers to Jericho as the ‘City of Palm Trees’, and the current plantations of luscious palms show that this city is determined to hold on to its epic reputation.
What To Do
Jericho has many wonderful attractions for tourists who will feel safe and comfortable in this peaceful - albeit somewhat dingy city. The best place to start your trip to the "world's oldest city" is the tourist office in the central square, where helpful staff hand out a map with the main destinations. The cable car (Telepherique) to the summit of Temptation is the most dramatic attraction, and in the arid, open countryside alone, the majestic views of the lush city of Jericho are worth a visit. At the top of the hill is the elegant Greek Orthodox monastery of temptation, miraculously carved into the hillside. Also at the foot of the hill is the Tell as-Sultan Archaeological Park, where you can admire the excavations of the ancient settlement of Jericho. Adjacent to the Old Town is Ein as-Sultan Spring and Park, a tiny oasis that gives you a much-needed respite from the Jericho sun. Staff will show you the spring itself, an ancient water source that still supplies the entire city of Jericho with cold, clean water from the mountains. The remains of Hisham Palace are the most outstanding archaeological site in Jericho, if not in the entire West Bank. Comprising a palace, an elaborate bath net and an agricultural estate, there is also a small museum and numerous information boards to educate visitors throughout the site. Herod's Palace is harder to find and therefore much less visited, but worth a visit. Original walls and buildings can be explored for free. Back at the heart of Jericho is the immaculate Russian Museum and Park, which provides information on the traditions of Russian pilgrims to the Holy Land and archaeological excavations of Byzantine churches. On the museum grounds is a legendary plane tree, which is over 2,000 years old and is said to be the same tree mentioned in the Bible. When Jesus was in the city, Zacchaeus mounted it so he could see the Son of God from the crowd in the street. The Spanish gardens are a pleasant place to relax in the evenings when the sun is beginning to set, with a central fountain and a cafe selling cold drinks.
where to eat
There are many restaurants in Jericho, from formal tourist eateries to classic Palestinian restaurants, serving plenty of shawarma, fried chicken, hummus, falafel and salads. There is a café at the top of Temptation Hill and a restaurant at Ein as-Sultan Spring Park.
where to stay
The city of Jericho has a wide variety of accommodation, from hotels to hostels.