On July 4th, the historic city of Assisi, nestled in the
heart of Italy’s Umbria region, will host the international traveling
exhibition “Jordan: Dawn of Christianity”, following its stellar debut at the
Vatican this past February and March.
اضافة اعلان
This new showing in Assisi will be held at the stunning
Palazzo Monte Frumentario, in collaboration with the Città di Assisi (City of
Assisi). Overlooking the historic streets of Assisi, this 13th-century
architectural gem once served as a public granary and center for charitable
giving. Now beautifully restored as a cultural venue, the Palazzo provides a
fitting and contemplative setting for the exhibition’s spiritual and historical
themes.
The exhibition carries profound symbolic and spiritual
significance. As the birthplace of Saint Francis of Assisi—one of the most
revered figures in Christian tradition, known for his message of peace,
humility, and interfaith dialogue—the city has long been a beacon for spiritual
seekers. Since the Middle Ages, Assisi has become one of the world’s foremost
Christian pilgrimage destinations, drawing over 5 million pilgrims and visitors
each year in search of contemplation and spiritual renewal in a setting that
harmonizes natural beauty with sacred heritage.
Assisi holds a special place in the hearts of Jordanians. In
2019, His Majesty King Abdullah II received the Lamp of Peace here, in
recognition of his unwavering commitment to peace, dignity, and interfaith
harmony—values that are deeply cherished by the people of Jordan and embodied
by Saint Francis himself.
This spiritual resonance is even more meaningful in 2025, a
year proclaimed by the late Pope Francis as a Jubilee Year in the Catholic
Church under the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”—a rare celebration that occurs only
once every 25 years, inviting the faithful to renew their journey of faith.
Jordan’s participation in this historic moment affirms its
enduring spiritual message and its place as an integral part of the Holy Land.
The Kingdom stands as one of the world’s most significant centers of Christian
heritage and pilgrimage. It has welcomed many important religious milestones,
including the historic visit of the late Pope Francis to Jordan in 2014, during
which he visited the Baptism Site on the Jordan River and praised Jordan as a
symbol of shared living and peace in the region.
The exhibition casts a spotlight on the richness of Jordan’s
Christian heritage through its pilgrimage sites that are officially recognized
by the Vatican. It begins with the sacred waters of the Baptism Site, Bethany
Beyond the Jordan, where Jesus Christ was baptized on the eastern banks of the
River Jordan by John the Baptist—a place of immense spiritual power, listed as
a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From there, the journey of faith extends to Mount
Nebo; to the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain in Anjara, associated with the
Holy Family’s passage through the region; to Tell Mar Elias, believed to be the
birthplace of the Prophet Elijah; and to the windswept heights of Machaerus,
the fortress where John the Baptist was imprisoned and martyred.
Beyond highlighting these sacred places, the exhibition aims
to draw attention to the importance of religious tourism and its promotion in
Jordan. As a leading Christian pilgrimage destination in the world, Jordan
offers a bridge between faith and culture—welcoming visitors and pilgrims from
around the globe into an experience of spiritual depth, historical continuity,
and cultural exchange.
This traveling exhibition is part of a global effort to
share Jordan’s sacred Christian heritage with the world. Its message, like that
of Saint Francis, is one of peace, dialogue, and hope.
“Jordan: Dawn of Christianity” is a living invitation to
pilgrimage, reflection, and spiritual encounter.
We warmly invite you to experience this exhibition—and to
continue your journey to Jordan, the living land of the Dawn of Christianity.
