Come to the lowest point on Earth, a small town on the Dead Sea that’s home to fascinating archaeological sites, some of which date back over 12,000 years.
The ancient biblical town of Zoara, now called Gawr as-Safi, has some of the richest archaeological sites in Jordan, many of which are open for visitors to explore. Come here to alternate between learning about history with taking rejuvenating dips in the salty Dead Sea.
Hike to the hills east of Gawr as-Safi to find Lot’s Cave. This is often considered the most important site in Gawr as-Safi, and is thought to represent a piece of Biblical history. When a 7th-century church was excavated here, inscriptions referring to Lot were found. These inscriptions suggest the site was a pilgrimage site in the Byzantine era.
Explore the Lowest Place on Earth Museum to see impressive mosaics, ancient pottery and textiles that were discovered in Lot’s Cave. Some go all the way back to the Neolithic Period.
Hire an archaeologist guide and take a tour of Masna Al Sukkar (aka Tawahines Al Sukkar), an ancient sugar factory that is still being excavated. Sugar production in this area was at its height from the 11th to15th century and Gawr as-Safi was then at the center of sugar trade across the Mediterranean region.
Spend any amount of time in Gawr as-Safi and you will soon realize that it is less a tourist hub than it is an important destination for archaeologists and biblical scholars. For that reason, this town offers a unique style of local experience. The experience you will have when you access the Dead Sea from Gawr as-Safi is therefore likely to be far less touristy than if you visit it from one of the more popular areas of shore.
Find Gawr as-Safi located just off the Dead Sea Highway, an easy stop on a drive south from Amman to Petra. This off-the-beaten-path destination is well worth a stop for travelers looking for a deeper understanding of Jordan’s long history.
