Opening of the exhibition “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” in Assisi, Italy
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In line with the ongoing efforts to highlight the importance of Jordan’s religious heritage and promote religious tourism, the exhibition “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” was inaugurated in the Italian city of Assisi on Friday, July 4, 2025. The opening ceremony was attended by Jordan’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Lina Annab; the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Italy, Qais Abu Dayyeh; Father Francesco Belloni, regional head of the Franciscan Order in Assisi; and the Deputy Mayor of Assisi, Veronica Cavallucci, along with a large number of Italian political, religious, and cultural figures.اضافة اعلان
This exhibition holds special significance as it is being hosted in Assisi, a global symbol of peace and dialogue and a major pilgrimage destination visited by more than five million pilgrims and visitors each year. Choosing Assisi further reinforces the exhibition’s message of promoting Jordan as a leading religious pilgrimage, spiritual, and cultural destination.
In her opening remarks, Minister Annab emphasized the importance of holding the exhibition in such a symbolic city, noting that King Abdullah II received the Lamp of Peace award there in 2019, in recognition of his efforts to promote human rights, fraternity, interfaith dialogue, and peace in the Middle East and worldwide.
Annab stressed that “this exhibition carries a human and spiritual message that transcends borders, showcasing the Jordanian model of shared living and harmony, and portraying Jordan as a land of peace, love, and humanity.” She added that Jordan is a key destination for Christian pilgrimage and that this exhibition contributes to strengthening religious tourism and invites pilgrims and visitors to discover the Kingdom’s sacred sites, further reinforcing its position as a leading religious pilgrimage, spiritual, and cultural destination.
Ambassador Abu Dayyeh thanked the city of Assisi and its political, religious, and cultural authorities for hosting the event. He emphasized that “this cultural cooperation reflects the depth of the historical ties between Jordan and Italy and strengthens the bridges of friendship and understanding between the two peoples.” He also highlighted Jordan’s pivotal role in protecting and preserving holy sites, especially through the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, which embodies the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding religious heritage and harmony.
Deputy Mayor Veronica Cavallucci affirmed that the exhibition sends a strong message in support of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and noted that Assisi always welcomes initiatives that foster dialogue, understanding, and bring people closer together.
Attendees toured the exhibition, which features around 90 rare artifacts from 34 archaeological sites across Jordan. The collection narrates the story of the emergence of Christianity on Jordanian land — from the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ at Bethany beyond the Jordan, to Mount Nebo, Machaerus Fortress, Tell Mar Elias, and Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Anjara.
Visitors expressed their admiration for the exhibition’s spiritual and historical depth and its reflection of the enduring Christian presence in Jordan throughout history and across civilizations.
This exhibition — organized by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and curated by artistic director Eyad Khzuz — marks its second stop on an international tour, following its successful presentation at the Vatican in February and March of this year. It will continue until August 2 at the Monte Frumentario Palace in the heart of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and a symbol of dialogue and peace. Its next stop will be in Athens, Greece, in September.
“Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” offers visitors a unique spiritual and human experience, taking them on a journey to the roots of early Christianity — from the Jordan River, where the message began and continues to inspire millions around the world to this day.
This exhibition holds special significance as it is being hosted in Assisi, a global symbol of peace and dialogue and a major pilgrimage destination visited by more than five million pilgrims and visitors each year. Choosing Assisi further reinforces the exhibition’s message of promoting Jordan as a leading religious pilgrimage, spiritual, and cultural destination.
In her opening remarks, Minister Annab emphasized the importance of holding the exhibition in such a symbolic city, noting that King Abdullah II received the Lamp of Peace award there in 2019, in recognition of his efforts to promote human rights, fraternity, interfaith dialogue, and peace in the Middle East and worldwide.
Annab stressed that “this exhibition carries a human and spiritual message that transcends borders, showcasing the Jordanian model of shared living and harmony, and portraying Jordan as a land of peace, love, and humanity.” She added that Jordan is a key destination for Christian pilgrimage and that this exhibition contributes to strengthening religious tourism and invites pilgrims and visitors to discover the Kingdom’s sacred sites, further reinforcing its position as a leading religious pilgrimage, spiritual, and cultural destination.
Ambassador Abu Dayyeh thanked the city of Assisi and its political, religious, and cultural authorities for hosting the event. He emphasized that “this cultural cooperation reflects the depth of the historical ties between Jordan and Italy and strengthens the bridges of friendship and understanding between the two peoples.” He also highlighted Jordan’s pivotal role in protecting and preserving holy sites, especially through the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, which embodies the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding religious heritage and harmony.
Deputy Mayor Veronica Cavallucci affirmed that the exhibition sends a strong message in support of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, and noted that Assisi always welcomes initiatives that foster dialogue, understanding, and bring people closer together.
Attendees toured the exhibition, which features around 90 rare artifacts from 34 archaeological sites across Jordan. The collection narrates the story of the emergence of Christianity on Jordanian land — from the Baptism Site of Jesus Christ at Bethany beyond the Jordan, to Mount Nebo, Machaerus Fortress, Tell Mar Elias, and Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Anjara.
Visitors expressed their admiration for the exhibition’s spiritual and historical depth and its reflection of the enduring Christian presence in Jordan throughout history and across civilizations.
This exhibition — organized by Jordan’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and curated by artistic director Eyad Khzuz — marks its second stop on an international tour, following its successful presentation at the Vatican in February and March of this year. It will continue until August 2 at the Monte Frumentario Palace in the heart of Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis and a symbol of dialogue and peace. Its next stop will be in Athens, Greece, in September.
“Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” offers visitors a unique spiritual and human experience, taking them on a journey to the roots of early Christianity — from the Jordan River, where the message began and continues to inspire millions around the world to this day.
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