LONDON: Visitors to the “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” exhibition, now open in Rome, will gain a rare insight into Jordan’s deep-rooted and wide-ranging religious history.
The exhibition, which opened on Friday and runs to Feb. 28, coincides with the Vatican’s Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” and aims to raise awareness of Jordan’s Christian heritage among Italian and international visitors.
It focuses on Bethany Beyond the Jordan (Al-Maghtas), believed to be baptism site of Jesus Christ, and Jordan’s longstanding efforts to preserve religious history under Hashemite leadership.
The opening ceremony was attended by Jordan’s Minister of Tourism, Lina Annab, and Ambassador to Italy Qais Abu Dayyeh, as well as officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Jordan Tourism Board, and the Department of Antiquities, along with a delegation from the senate, and international media representatives.
Showcasing more than 90 rare artifacts, the exhibition features intricate mosaics, ancient Christian symbols, and interactive historical narratives spanning from the baptism of Christ in the Jordan River to the Byzantine and Islamic periods and into the modern Hashemite era.
Speaking at the event, Annab underscored the exhibition’s role in promoting Jordan’s Christian and Islamic heritage to a global audience.
“This initiative reflects Jordan’s deep-rooted religious and cultural history, highlighting the country’s efforts under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership to preserve Christian presence in the region as an integral part of our shared heritage,” she said.
The exhibition also commemorates the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s recognition of Bethany Beyond the Jordan as a Christian pilgrimage site.
