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Italy and EU Strengthen Jordan’s Cultural Heritage Through Innovative Site Development

05.07.2026
Amman
Press and information team of the Delegation to JORDAN

The Italian Embassy to Jordan, supported by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) Office in Amman, recently convened key stakeholders to advance a strategic initiative focused on the sustainable development and enhancement of Jordan's outstanding archaeological heritage at Mukawer, the historic site of St. John the Baptist’s imprisonment, and Abila, one of the cities of the dodecapolis. Funded by the European Union and implemented by the AICS in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities (DoA) and the University of Perugia, the project is aligned with the Kingdom’s national tourism development objectives and looks ahead to the 2029 and 2030 commemorations associated with the sites linked to St. John the Baptist (Machaerus Fortress) and Jesus Christ (the Baptism Site). 

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© European Union, 2026

The initiative aims to further strengthen Jordan’s position as a destination for religious and cultural tourism, while promoting a shared spiritual heritage rooted in both Christian and Islamic traditions and fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth.

Based on a fruitful and longstanding cultural partnership with Jordan, Italy is fully committed to contributing to enhancing archaeological sites not only as historical landmarks, but as dynamic resources for strengthening local communities and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

The implementation phase of the project “Support to the socio-economic recovery and promotion of sustainable local development through the enhancement of cultural heritage sites” will start through two key site events that will bring together local authorities, academic partners, technical experts and local community. These two events, a site visit at Mukawer on Thursday, July 2nd, 2026, followed by a session at Abila on Sunday, July 5th, 2026, will set a major milestone for the project’s execution. During both days, key partners will present upcoming works, expected results, and the framework's archaeological, architectural, and conservation plans, marking the first major step forward after extensive preparation.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the project places strong emphasis on the protection of the landscape and the enrichment of the visitor experience. This includes significant investments in securing access routes to the Mukawer fortress and in the preservation of historical caves along the path, which serve to highlight the tangible and intangible heritage of the area.

Capacity building remains a central pillar of the initiative as well. Specialized training programs for the staff of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) and the Department of Antiquities (DoA) are scheduled to begin on July 14, in partnership with Yarmouk University, focusing on integrated conservation and advanced archaeological research methodologies.