The Mount of Temptation, known locally as Jebel Quruntul, is a rugged, limestone peak overlooking the ancient city of Jericho in the West Bank. It is revered in Christian tradition as the location where Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days and 40 nights and was subsequently tempted by the devil, as described in the New Testament Gospels. For centuries, the mountain has been a site of pilgrimage and monasticism. Its most striking feature is the Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation, which clings dramatically to the sheer cliff face, seemingly defying gravity.

Name and Address

• Name: Mount of Temptation (also Mount Quarantania or Jebel Quruntul). The name “Quarantania” is derived from the Latin Quarentena, meaning 40, which refers to the 40 days of Jesus’s fast.
• Address: Located just west of the city of Jericho, Palestine.

How to Get There

The site is a major tourist and pilgrimage destination and is easily accessible from Jericho.

• By Cable Car (Recommended): The most popular and scenic way to reach the monastery is via the Jericho Cable Car. The ride begins at Tel Jericho (the site of the ancient city) and takes about five minutes, offering stunning panoramic views of Jericho, the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea.
• By Foot: For the more adventurous, there is a steep, winding path that takes approximately 30-45 minutes to hike from the base of the mountain up to the monastery.
• Access to the Monastery: From the upper cable car station, it is a short, uphill walk to the monastery entrance.
• Visitor Tip: A visit is often combined with other nearby sites, such as ancient Jericho (Tel es-Sultan) and Hisham’s Palace. Remember to dress modestly when visiting the monastery.

Landscape and Architecture

The landscape is a stark desert mountain, and the architecture is a stunning example of a cliffside monastery.

• Judean Desert Landscape: The Mount of Temptation is a barren, rocky peak rising dramatically from the flat, green oasis of Jericho. It offers a commanding view of the surrounding desert landscape, which has changed little since biblical times.
• The Monastery of the Temptation (Deir al-Quruntul): The architectural marvel of the site is the Greek Orthodox monastery, which is built directly into the face of the cliff. The structure seems to grow out of the rock, with its northern half carved into the mountain and its southern half cantilevered out into space.
• Cave Chapels: The monastery is built around a series of natural caves that have been used by monks and hermits since the early centuries of Christianity. The main chapel is built in front of the grotto that contains the stone where Jesus is traditionally believed to have sat during his 40-day fast.

What Makes It Famous

The Mount of Temptation’s fame is rooted in its profound biblical significance and its breathtaking, gravity-defying monastery.

• Site of Jesus’s Temptation: Its primary claim to fame is being the traditional location of one of the most important events in the life of Jesus—his 40-day fast and his triumph over the temptations of the devil.
• The Cliffside Monastery: The spectacular sight of the monastery clinging to the sheer rock face is an unforgettable and highly photogenic image. It is a remarkable feat of engineering and a testament to centuries of monastic devotion.
• Ancient Monastic History: The mountain has been a center for Christian hermits and monks since at least the 4th century, when Saint Chariton the Confessor established one of the earliest lavra-type monasteries here.
• Panoramic Views: The summit and the monastery offer incredible panoramic views across the ancient city of Jericho, the Jordan Valley, and the Dead Sea.

Differences from Other Wonders

The Mount of Temptation offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other holy sites in the region.

• A Site of Solitude and Trial vs. Public Ministry or Events: Unlike sites in Jerusalem like the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (associated with the public events of the crucifixion and resurrection) or the Sea of Galilee (associated with Jesus’s public ministry), the Mount of Temptation is a site of intense, personal, and solitary trial. It represents a period of inner struggle rather than a public event.
• Dramatic Natural Setting: The experience is defined as much by its dramatic natural setting as by its religious significance. The rugged, barren mountain and the vast desert landscape are central to the story of the temptation. This contrasts with the urban settings of the holy sites in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
• Architectural Integration with Nature: The way the Monastery of the Temptation is built directly into the cliff face is a stunning example of architecture merging with nature. This is very different from the grand, freestanding basilicas of the Church of the Nativity or the Holy Sepulchre.
• Focus on a Spiritual Test: The site commemorates a spiritual and psychological battle. This focus on an internal struggle gives it a different theological and emotional resonance compared to sites that commemorate birth, death, or miracles.