Legacy of Mount Nebo

This blog is a continuation of the last entry on the Tour of Israel in late May to early June 2014 (Read here). 

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We left Amman for Tiberias in Israel by road on 27 May 2014. On the way, we had stops at Madaba and later on at Mount Nebo (Read here). 

Mount Nebo has two peaks, Siyagha and al-Mukhayyat. The memorial of Moses is on Siyagha. In the 6th century AD, Catholic monks built a Byzantine monastery on Siyagha which lasted for almost 600 years. The site was abandoned by the 16th century. In 1932, Mount Nebo was purchased by the Catholic Franciscans who carried out extensive excavation of the ruins and monastery and restoration work of the site.

Today, the old Byzantine building is long gone. At time time of our visit, mosaics excavated from that period were on display.

The Memorial Church of Moses.

A serpentine cross sculpture is erected on top of Mount Nebo. The sculpture is a symbol of a combination of a bronze serpent created by Moses with a cross where Jesus was hung. The inscription at the base of the pole reads: "Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, the son of man must be lifted up, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life".  

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We last saw the Memorial Church of Moses on Mount Nebo more than seven years ago. Now, this can easily be viewed on the google map.

A recent photo captured on Google Map.

The serpentine cross sculpture is visible at the left.

Today, items and mosaics excavated from the ruins of the Byzantine monastery are on display inside the Church.

Courtesy of Madainproject.com.

Courtesy of Madainproject.com.