In Jordan, there is a famous walking trail. It’s about 50 kilometers long and follows the path taken by a nun named Egeria around 1,600 years ago. She traveled through the Holy Land long before Spain’s Camino de Santiago became popular.
About the trail
The hike begins early in the morning at Mount Nebo, a mountain 610 meters high. From the top, people see beautiful views of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea. According to the Bible, Moses stood here and looked into the Holy Land. People today feel special standing here, just as Egeria did many years ago.
A man named Silvano Mezzanzana walked this trail. He described the view from the mountain as “magical.” He remembered watching the sun rise over beautiful mountains and farmland below. In the evening, the sun sets behind the mountains, and you see the city of Jerusalem far away. Silvano said he felt he was on a very special journey.
More about the Camino of Egeria
The Camino of Egeria starts east of the Great Rift Valley. The trail goes through farms, rocky mountains, and valleys. The land here is greener and more beautiful than on the Camino de Santiago in Spain, which about 500,000 people walk every year.
Recently, Jordan and Spain decided to join their famous trails to encourage people to learn more about history. Jordan hopes the Camino of Egeria will become as famous as Spain’s trail.
Who was Egeria?
Egeria was a nun from Spain who traveled to the Holy Land around the year 400 AD. She rode a donkey through Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, and Mesopotamia (now parts of Iraq and Turkey). She visited many important religious places described in the Bible. Egeria wrote letters to her friends about her travels. These letters are important because they tell us about life 1,600 years ago.
About the walk
Usually, people complete this hike in about three days. It is not very difficult, but each day they walk about 17 kilometers. Last year, Jordan improved the trail to make it easier for tourists. They built wider paths through rocky areas. The government hopes these changes will attract more visitors from around the world.
A Jordanian woman named Nadeen Dabbas walked the trail. She said, “I lived in Jordan all my life, but this trail showed me new places. It made me feel alive.”
Interesting places along the way
There are many interesting historical places on the Camino of Egeria. On the first day, walkers visit a small monastery built by Egyptian monks to remember Moses. Later, they visit an ancient city called Livias.
On day two, the walkers see Al-Maghtas, also known as Bethany beyond the Jordan. Christians believe Jesus was baptized here. This area is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travelers can also see ancient Roman ruins, churches, and even sleep near the Jordan River, just as Egeria did.
Why is this important today?
The Camino of Egeria was forgotten for many years. But a Spanish hiker recently learned about Egeria and wanted to recreate her journey. He talked to the Jordanian and Spanish governments, and they decided to make the trail famous again.
Today, Jordan wants this trail to help different cultures learn about each other. They hope it will teach people tolerance and friendship between religions and countries.
In the future, Jordan plans to add more signs, information, and places to rest. Silvano Mezzanzana says the trail is special. He wants to walk it again soon.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Revival – When something old becomes active or popular again.
Sentence: “Jordan’s 1,600-year-old Camino is alive again.”
Trail – A path for walking or hiking.
Sentence: There is a famous walking trail in Jordan.”
Nun – A religious woman who dedicates her life to God.
Sentence: “The trail follows the path taken by a nun named Egeria.”
Journey – Traveling from one place to another, usually far away.
Sentence: “Silvano said he felt he was on a very special journey.”
Holy Land – Explanation: The area important for religious reasons, like Israel, Palestine, and Jordan.
Sentence: “She traveled through the Holy Land 1,600 years ago.”
Famous – Known or popular by many people.
Sentence: “Jordan hopes the Camino of Egeria will become as famous as Spain’s trail.”
Panoramic – A very wide view of an area.
Sentence: “From the top, people see beautiful panoramic views.”
Magical – Something beautiful or special, almost like magic.
Sentence: “He described the view as magical.”
Rocky – Having many rocks or stones.
Sentence: “They built wider paths through rocky areas.”
Improve – To make something better.
Sentence: “Jordan improved the trail to make it easier for tourists.”
Attract – To make someone interested in something.
Sentence: “The government hopes these changes will attract more visitors.”
Monastery – A building where religious people (monks or nuns) live and pray.
Sentence: “Walkers visit a small monastery built by Egyptian monks.”
Baptized – A religious ceremony to welcome someone into the Christian religion.
Sentence: “Christians believe Jesus was baptized here.”
Forgotten – Not remembered anymore.
Sentence: “The Camino of Egeria was forgotten for many years.”
Tolerance – Accepting people who are different from you.
Sentence: “They hope it will teach people tolerance and friendship.”
Rest – To relax or take a break.
Sentence: “Jordan plans to add more signs, information, and places to rest.”
Cultural – Related to the ideas, customs, and social behavior of people.
Sentence: “They want different cultural groups to learn from each other.”
Ruins – Old buildings or places that are falling apart.
Sentence: “Travelers can also see ancient Roman ruins.”
Government – The group of people who manage a country or region.
Sentence: “The government hopes these changes will attract visitors.”
Heritage – Traditions, culture, and history passed down from earlier times.
Sentence: “Jordan wants people to learn more about their cultural heritage.”
