Monastery of the Temptation Religious Site

Address: Monastery of the Temptation, Jericho, West Bank (on the slopes of the Mount of Temptation)

Hours: Daily 8:00am-4:00pm (verify locally)

Admission: Entry to the monastery site: approximate small donation or local fee (varies)

The Monastery of the Temptation is a cliff-side monastery on the slopes above Jericho in the West Bank, traditionally associated with the Gospel account of Jesus’ temptation.

The complex is built into a steep rocky escarpment and offers sweeping views down into Wadi Qelt and across to the Jordan Valley. Visitors typically see chapels, rock-cut cells and terraces arranged on narrow ledges that step down the cliff face.

The site has Byzantine origins as a monastic hermitage and was developed and rebuilt over many centuries; the present monastery complex reflects phases of construction from the Byzantine period through later Orthodox restorations. It has been maintained as a functioning monastic site under the Greek Orthodox Church in its recent history.

Perched on the western slopes of the Judean Desert above Jericho, the monastery overlooks Wadi Qelt and lies within the administrative area commonly referred to as the West Bank, a short drive northeast of the city of Jericho.

• Viewing points: Sits on a cliff face above Wadi Qelt with vertical drops on the valley side, making viewpoints from the wadi and from Jericho both popular.

From Jericho city centre, take a taxi or local minibus up the road to the cable car station and ascend; walking routes are steep and exposed and generally appropriate only for fit hikers.

• Visit midday for the clearest views over Jericho and the Jordan Valley.
• The monastery is an active religious site-dress conservatively and be discreet during services.
• Combine with a stop at the Mount of Temptation cable car station for a dramatic arrival.