Italy's Assisi Hosts "Jordan: The Dawn Of Christianity Traveling Exhibition

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, July 1 (Petra) – The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) are organizing the international traveling exhibition "Jordan: The Dawn of Christianity" in the historic city of Assisi, located in Italy's Umbria region, at the beginning of July.
According to a ministry statement, the exhibition will be held at Palazzo Monte Frumentario in cooperation with the Assisi Municipality, following its exceptional success at the Vatican in February and March.
The exhibition highlights the significance of religious tourism in Jordan, promoting the country as a key destination for Christian pilgrimage in the region. It also underscores Jordan's role as a bridge between faith and culture, enhancing its spiritual and global presence.
The display focuses on the five Vatican-approved Christian pilgrimage sites in Jordan: Al-Maghtas (Bethany Beyond the Jordan), Mount Nebo, the Church of Our Lady of the Mountain in Anjara, Tell Mar Elias, and Machaerus Fortress. Foremost among them is Al-Maghtas, the baptismal site of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist, one of Christianity's holiest sites and a UNESCO World Heritage location.
"Jordan: The Dawn of Christianity" serves as an invitation for pilgrimage, reflection, and unity, bringing together Assisi and Jordan in a cross-border spiritual dialogue at a time when hope is most needed.
Curated by Eyad Khzouz, the exhibition is part of an international initiative to share Jordan's sacred Christian heritage with the world, conveying a message of peace, dialogue, and hope.
Holding the exhibition in Assisi carries deep symbolic and spiritual significance, as the city is the birthplace of St. Francis of Assisi, a global symbol of peace and interfaith dialogue.
Assisi holds special importance for Jordan in 2019, His Majesty King Abdullah II was awarded the "Lamp of Peace" prize there for his efforts in promoting human rights, fraternity, and peace in the Middle East and beyond, as well as Jordan's humanitarian role in hosting refugees.
Since the Middle Ages, Assisi has been a major Christian pilgrimage site, attracting over five million visitors annually seeking spiritual renewal in its sacred and scenic surroundings.
The exhibition gains further symbolic weight in 2025, coinciding with the late Pope Francis' declaration of a "Jubilee Year" in the Catholic Church under the theme "Pilgrims of Hope." This rare event, held every 25 years, calls for a global renewal of faith and spiritual reflection.
Jordan's participation in this historic moment reaffirms its role as a cornerstone of Christian faith and an integral part of the Holy Land.
The country has previously drawn global Christian attention, notably during the historic 2014 visit of the late Pope Francis, who visited the Baptism Site and praised Jordan's message of coexistence and peace in the region.

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