- Address: Dead Sea, Israel;
- Area: 22 km²;
- The highest point: 900 m above sea level;
- Lowest point: 50 m;
- Sightseeing: various figured canyons, caves, Masada fortress, the national nature reserve Qumran, as well as ancient monasteries.
Many will be surprised to see the Jewish wilderness in the list of landmarks of Israel . It would seem that there may be an interesting one among quicksand and gently inconspicuous rocks? In fact, there are so many ancient puzzles, places associated with distant history, Christian and archaeological sites, that a journey through the Judean desert does not seem boring and monotonous at all.
Geographical and geological features of the Judean Desert
- area - 22 km²;
- the highest point is 900 m above sea level (ridges of the Judean Mountains);
- the lowest point is -50 m (cliffs on the border with the Dead Sea );
- the desert originates in the north, slightly to the south from Jerusalem , stretches a narrow strip down to the Hebron uplands;
- conditionally the Jewish desert is divided into three parts: the western, central and eastern;
- the western belt is relatively rich in flora, it used to even cultivate the land and conduct agriculture (this is due to the fact that the soil in this region is a hard limestone with deep and abundant cracks through which a sufficient amount of moisture seeps);
- The central part has practically waterproof soil from soft limestone, so here you can find only a rare grass cover and small unpretentious shrubs (during rare rains the water from the central plateau simply flows down to the eastern slope of the desert);
- in the east the desert relief is diluted by deep canyons and canyons, there are several springs.
The climate, flora and fauna
As in any desert, the Judah is dry and hot. In summer, the thermometer's column rises to + 40-50 ° C. Therefore, when going here, be sure to store water and do not forget about the headdress.
You can get in the rain, but only in winter. Most likely in January. Rains often occur in the western part of the desert (up to 300 mm of precipitation a year), twice less often in the east (100 mm per year).
The presence of springs and places of favorable soils causes a fairly rich flora and fauna of the Judean Desert. Here you can find damans, chamois, leopards, mountain goats and even a representative of the relict unique fauna - black peten (snake). In the western zone and near the sources of springs grow locust and pistachio trees, hawthorn.
Judean Desert - attractions
Despite the harsh climate and not very favorable conditions for living, this hot and waterless place has never been empty. Even in the IV century BC, ancient tribes lived here, as evidenced by archaeological finds. It was here that the famous Dead Sea scrolls, written in pre-Christian times, were found, as well as many artifacts dating back to the Eneolithic era (bronze wands, arrowheads of hippo fangs, ivory items).
Looking at the photo of the Judean desert, it is difficult to compare it with other famous world sand valleys. Here there are truly picturesque places with beautiful views and landscapes. There are sheer cliffs, and bubbling transparent springs, and blooming oases, and beautiful figured canyons, and mysterious caves (the most famous of them are Wadi Murabbaat, Qumran, Wadi Mishmar, Khirbet-Mirde ).
Since ancient times in the Judean Desert sought the meaning of being hermits, various religious sects and monks. In these places, David, the legendary Jewish ruler, once before his ascension to the throne, hid from persecution of his father-in-law, King Saul, once found his refuge.
There is another biblical legend associated with the Judean Desert. It is believed that the main Christian baptizer, John the Baptist, lived for many years in the caves of the desert and held the first baptismal ceremony at the mouth of the Jordan River, located in the north-west of the valley.
One of the main attractions of Israel is in the eastern part of the Judean Desert. This is the majestic and unassailable fortress of Massada - a symbol of the unshakable strength of the spirit and heroism of the Jewish people. Nearby is the national nature reserve of Qumran , and to the north of it the ruins of the ancient settlements of Khirbat-Qumran.
In the central part of the desert, Mount Muntar rises, famous for the fact that in ancient times it was dumped by the "goats of redemption" - the victims of the demon. We all know about such a concept as a "scapegoat". It turns out that such an allegory with an innocent victim originated in ancient Jerusalem. But in those days animals were sacrificed for sacrifice, two - one was presented to God, and the other was given to the demon, dropping Muntar from that very mountain.
Separate attention deserves the ancient monasteries of the Judean Desert. The most popular among them among tourists:
- monastery of Temptations (erected in 340) - the place where Jesus Christ spent his forty-day fast, not giving in to the persuasion of the evil demon to exchange the idea of saving mankind for all earthly riches (you can climb to the temple located on the mountain top by cable car);
- the monastery of Savva the Sanctified (founded in 484) - one of the few active monasteries of the Judean Desert (located under the diocese of the Jerusalem Orthodox Church);
- the monastery of George Hozevit - was built in 520 by the Egyptian hermit in the Wadi Kelt gorge;
- the monastery of Gerasim of Jordan (built in 455) - it is associated with a rich history and many interesting legends, currently there are only about 30 monks from different countries (there are settlers from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Russia, Romania);
- Monastery of Khariton-Confessor (erected in 330) - in the XX century on the site of an abandoned church the monastery of St. Khariton was built, today only one monk lives here.
This is only a small part of what has been preserved from the former monastery monasteries. Archaeologist Izhar Hirschfeld counted about 45 monasteries and monasteries in the territory of the Judean Desert, most of which were preserved only in the form of debris.
How to get there?
You can travel in the desert either on a rented car or on sightseeing buses. We would advise you to choose the second option or simply order it to accompany the guide. The stories and legends associated with the Judean desert will complement the magnificent visual picture and will create a general impression of this amazing place in all colors and tones.
It is more convenient to get to the desert from Jerusalem or from the Dead Sea resorts.