Russian Pilgrim Residence (Jordan)

Russian Pilgrim Residence
Top view of the Russian Pilgrim Residence
Interactive map of the Russian Pilgrim Residence area
General information
Architectural style
Russian
LocationAl-Maghtas
Coordinates31°49′53.4″N 35°32′52.1″E / 31.831500°N 35.547806°E / 31.831500; 35.547806
Year built2012
Groundbreaking2007
Construction started
2008
Construction stopped
2012
Cost$40 million

The Russian Pilgrim Residence is a building in Al-Maghtas, Jordan, an area that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Jesus is believed to have been baptized.

During a 2007 visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Al-Maghtas, the Jordanian government donated a 10 dunum plot of land intended for a Russian Pilgrimage House, which was funded by Russia for a cost of $40 million and inaugurated by Putin in 2012.

The pilgrim's house contains 50 double rooms, several halls, and an exclusive opening to the Jordan River for baptisms. The house was built in the Russian architectural style, which included white facades and golden domes.

There are several sites in the Maghtas area, including the Russian Pilgrim's House, a number of churches belonging to different denominations, and ancient ruins related to Jesus baptismal.

History

Ruins of Al-Maghtas in Jordan, where Jesus is thought to have been baptized, a UNESCO world heritage site.

During a 2007 visit by then Russian President Vladimir Putin to Al-Maghtas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Jesus is believed to have been baptized,[1] the Jordanian government donated a 10 dunum plot of land intended for a Russian Pilgrimage House.[2] The cornerstones were placed in 2008, and the center was inaugurated by Putin in 2012.[3]

During the inauguration ceremony, attended by Jordanian and Russian government officials, Putin thanked King Abdullah II of Jordan for his support to the project: "I thank His Majesty King Abdullah II for his great support for this project, which is of great importance to thousands of Russian pilgrims, stressing that this house will be for all Russian pilgrims coming to the Baptism Site in Al-Maghtas."[4]

The pilgrim's house contains 50 double rooms, two presidential suites, a prayer's hall, a reception hall, and an exclusive opening to the Jordan River for baptisms. The house was built in the Russian architectural style, with white facades and golden domes. The Russian government funded the building's construction which costed around $40 million, and aimed to increase Russian Christian tourism numbers to Jordan.[5]

There are several sites in the Maghtas area, including the Russian Pilgrim's House, and Armenian, Coptic, Ethiopian, Assyrian and Greek Orthodox churches.[6]

References

  1. ↑ "Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas)". UNESCO. Retrieved 13 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Russian pilgrimage center to open this autumn in Jordan". Orthodox Christianity. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  3. ↑ "Jordan baptism site magnet to visitors". The Arab Weekly. Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  4. ↑ "الرئيس الروسي يفتتح بيت الحجاج الروس في المغطس". Petra (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 August 2026.
  5. ↑ "بوتين يفتتح بيت الضيافة الروسي في المغطس حزيران المقبل". Addustour (in Arabic). Retrieved 12 August 2025.
  6. ↑ "الموافقة على اقامة بيت للحجاج الروس في موقع «المغطس»". Addustour. Retrieved 12 August 2026.