New museum in Jordan to boost religious tourism
A project for a new Museum of Jesus’ Baptism at Bethany in Jordan has finally been attributed to Níall McLaughlin Architects, an architectural cabinet located in London.
Known for the design of many faith-related projects, the company has won the international design competition for the museum. The landmark project is set to enhance one of the world’s most significant Christian pilgrimage destinations in Jordan.
The museum will be built at Al-Maghtas, also known as “Bethany Beyond the Jordan,” on the east bank of the Jordan River near the Dead Sea. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is widely recognized as the location where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and has attracted pilgrims and visitors for centuries.
The new museum forms part of the wider Baptism Development Zone masterplan, a major initiative aimed at strengthening Jordan’s position as a global religious tourism hub. The whole project is endorsed by King Abdullah II of Jordan and led by the Foundation for the Development of the Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site.
Scheduled to open in 2030 to mark the bi-millennial of Christ’s baptism, the museum is expected to become a key cultural and spiritual landmark for the region. Planning is now entering the next phase following the selection of the winning team after a six-month invited competition.
Níall McLaughlin Architects’ proposal was chosen with a design standing out for its sensitive integration with the desert landscape and its immersive narrative approach. The future museum will guide visitors through a symbolic journey inspired by themes of wilderness, water and spiritual reflection.
Strengthening the appeal of Jordan religious world heritage
The museum is conceived as a low-lying structure, using locally sourced materials including stone and rammed earth inspired by Jordanian vernacular architecture. Visitors will enter through an arid garden, cross a water feature representing the Jordan River, and conclude the experience in a planted landscape offering views toward the historic pilgrimage path.
Sustainability and social responsibility are central to the design, with an emphasis on local labor, regional craftsmanship and low-carbon construction strategies.
Once completed, the museum is expected to attract 400,000 to 450,000 visitors annually. It will enrich and extend the visitor experience at the Baptism Site, offering space for reflection and learning and, depending on the individual, preparing visitors for a profound spiritual connection.
It will then further boost Jordan’s faith-based tourism sector, complementing iconic sites such as Petra, Mount Nebo and Wadi Rum.
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