Distance by Road: 20 km southwest of Madaba.
A few minutes drive on the King's Highway lies the ancient 1st century BC Herodian fortress of Machaerus. Machaerus or Mukawi of biblical times lies on a stark promontory (700 meters) overlooking the Dead Sea and protected on three sides by deep ravines.

Machaerus is best known as the place where Herod had John the Baptist beheaded, as recounted in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. The people of the region considered John the Baptist a holy man and prophet, but John was preaching against Herod Antipas and Herodias, because their marriage violated the law. Herod arrested John, imprisoned him in Mukawir, but did not kill him for fear of retribution from the people. Later, during a celebration at the palace, Herodias’ daughter Salome danced for Herod, who was so pleased that he promised to give Salome anything she wanted. Herodias, angry at John’s condemnation, prompted her daughter to ask for John’s head, and Herod felt obliged to honor her wishes.

More Photo's