Balqa Governorate

From highlands to the lowest land on Earth

Few areas show Jordan's changes in height as clearly as Balqa. The highlands around As-Salt rise to more than 1,000 metres and receive good winter rain, which supports forests, orchards and terraced fields. Steep, winding roads lead down through dry hills to the Jordan Valley, more than 200 metres below sea level, where winters are warm and summers very hot. At its southern end, the valley meets the northern shore of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on land. The drive from the cool hills to the warm shore takes less than an hour.

As-Salt and the towns of Balqa

As-Salt is built on three hills facing each other across a narrow valley. In the late Ottoman period it was one of the most important towns east of the Jordan River, and merchants built fine houses of honey-coloured limestone with arched windows and balconies. In 2021 the historic town was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a place of tolerance and urban hospitality, reflecting how Muslim and Christian families lived side by side. Other towns include Fuheis, known for its old stone churches and quiet lanes, Mahis in the green hills, and Deir Alla in the Jordan Valley.

Heritage and holy sites

Balqa holds sites important to several faiths and periods. Bethany Beyond the Jordan, also known as Al-Maghtas, is identified by many churches as the place where John baptised Jesus. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with remains of churches, baptismal pools and hermit caves. Tell Deir Alla, an ancient mound in the valley, revealed an Iron Age text written on plaster that mentions the seer Balaam. Around As-Salt there are shrines linked with prophets, including the Shrine of the Prophet Joshua on a hill above the city, as well as old churches and mosques in the historic centre.

Forests, springs and outdoor life

The highlands of Balqa include some of Jordan's most popular picnic areas. The pine and oak forests of Zai, north of As-Salt, offer shade, wide views and walking paths, and are especially busy on spring weekends. Springs and small streams run through valleys such as Wadi Shu'ayb, which descends towards the Jordan Valley. In late winter and early spring, the slopes turn green and almond trees blossom. In the south of the governorate, the Dead Sea shore is the place to float in the salty water and enjoy warm winter sunshine.

Valley farms and local food

The Jordan Valley section of Balqa is one of the country's main farming areas. Greenhouses and fields produce tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines and peppers, and plantations grow bananas and citrus fruit. In the highlands, families tend olives, grapes and figs. In As-Salt, the old market street, Hammam Street, is lined with shops selling spices, nuts, dried fruit, sweets and fresh produce. Home cooking includes mansaf, maqluba and stuffed vegetables, and in some highland villages bread is still baked in traditional clay ovens.

Highlights

• 1The historic centre of As-Salt and Hammam Street
• 2The Historic Old Salt Museum in the Abu Jaber House
• 3Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Baptism Site
• 4Floating in the northern Dead Sea
• 5Forest walks at Zai
• 6The old stone churches of Fuheis
• 7Tell Deir Alla in the Jordan Valley

Frequently asked questions