Mukawir Tourism

Mukawir, also known as Machaerus, is a historical hilltop location situated in the Karak Governorate of Jordan, approximately 30 kilometers south of Madaba. It is renowned for its fortified hilltop palace, which was built by Alexander Jannaeus in the first century BCE and later became famous as the palace of Herod the Great. According to Flavius Josephus, it is also the infamous site where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded at the behest of Salome, Herodias’s daughter. The site offers panoramic views of the Dead Sea and the surrounding countryside. It is a place of significant archaeological and historical importance, attracting numerous visitors interested in ancient history and biblical stories. The ruins one can explore at Mukawir include the remnants of the fortress, cisterns, and Herod's palace. Extensive excavations have been carried out over the years to uncover the site's past, revealing its key role in various historical periods. Not just a symbol of intrigue and ancient power struggles, Mukawir stands as a testament to the Nabataean, Roman, and Byzantine civilizations that once flourished in the region.