Search
Close this search box.

Monastery of the Temptation

Christian Sites in Israel

The Monastery of the Temptation (Deir al-Quruntal) is a Greek Orthodox monastery located in Jericho. It was built on the slopes of the Mount of Temptation; situated along a cliff overlooking the city of Jericho and the Jordan Valley. During the Hellenistic period, a fortress built by the Seleucids called “Doq” stood at the summit of the mountain. It was captured by the Hasmoneans and it was here that Simon Maccabaeus was murdered by his son-in-law Ptolemy.



In fact Byzantine monks lived there as early as the 4th century. The earliest monastery was constructed by the Byzantines in the 6th century CE above the cave traditionally said to be that where Jesus spent forty days and forty nights fasting and meditating during the temptation of Satan; about three kilometers northwest of Jericho. The monastery receives its name from the mountain which the early Christians referred to as the “Mount of the Temptation”. The Mount of Temptation was identified by Augusta Helena of Constantinople as one of the “holy sites” in her pilgrimage in 326 CE.

Then when the Crusaders conquered the area in 1099, they built two churches on the site: one in a cave halfway up the cliff and a second on the summit. They referred to the site as Mons Quarantana (compare with quarante in modern French and quaranta in modern Italian, both meaning forty, the number of days in the Gospel account of Jesus’s fast).


How to Get to the Monastery?

arik-about

Hi! My name is Arik, an Israeli native who dedicated his life to sharing my passion for the Holy Land with those interested in knowing more about this incredible piece of land. I’m the Chief Guide at ‘APT Private Tours in Israel’.

Did you know the Hoopoe is Israel's national bird?! For more cool info about Israel, join our ever growing community and get exclusive travel tips, and giveaways!

Deir Hajla Monastery

RELATED POSTS

Chapel of the Milk Grotto

The Chapel of the Milk Grotto is where according to Christian tradition, the Holy Family hid in a cave during the massacre of the innocent by ...

Dome of the Rock

The Dome of the Rock is a magnificent Islamic shrine with a massive gold dome situated on the Temple Mt in Jerusalem. A must-see site!

Jordan Valley Ultimate Christian Sites

What are the Jordan Valley ultimate Christian sites worth exploring? Well, that's a very good question! Check out this post to know more!

City of David Nighttime Show

The Hallelujah Night Show is a beloved nighttime performance in the City of David in Jerusalem. Worth checking it out when touring Israel

Ramat Hanadiv Gardens

Ramat Hanadiv Gardens is an extensive nature park established around the grave plot of Baron Rothschild, near Zichron Yaakov.

Synagogue Church

The Synagogue Church is located in the market in Nazareth. According to Christian tradition, in this place, Jesus used to study and pray!

Al-Aqsa Mosque

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims. It's located just next to the Golden Dome on Temple Mount makes it a must-see ...

Saxum Visitor Center

The Saxum Visitor Center plays a crucial role in educating visitors about the Holy Land's historical, cultural, and religious significance,

Little Western Wall

The Little Western Wall is a Jewish religious site located in the Old City of Jerusalem The wall itself dates from the Second Temple period.

Faran Monastery

Faran Monastery, the first Christian monastery in the Judaean Desert terrain. Let's delve into the history and of this unique site.

Need help?

Skip to content