UNESCO organizes trip to discover the hidden treasures of Rihab

Amman - UNESCO Jordan Office, in collaboration with Friends of Jordan Festivals, organized a half-day trip to Rihab for about 100 people, to give them the opportunity to discover the hidden treasures of Rihab, including its many churches decorated with stunning mosaics. Most of these churches date back to the late sixth or early seventh century, and among them, St. George Church, stands out as one of the oldest churches in the world, with a cave beneath it that might have been used for Christian worship as early as AD 33.

Jordan is a country that is famous for its rich cultural and historical heritage. Its landscape, ancient ruins, and unique architectural marvels are breathtaking, and tourists never cease to be amazed by them. One such destination that captures the essence of Jordan's cultural heritage is the village of Rihab. Located in the northern part of the Kingdom in the Mafraq Governorate, Rihab is a fascinating place that offers a glimpse into the country's past.

Through the Project “Support to Livelihoods through Cultural Heritage Development” under the EU Madad Fund, UNESCO, in close collaboration with ILO, is carrying out light conservation and site maintenance works in six of these churches, through cash-for-works initiatives targeting people from local communities and Syrian refugees. This initiative seeks to promote sustainable socio-economic development and mitigate the immediate need for employment creation among young vulnerable Jordanians and Syrian refugees while also paving the way for longer-term investments in cultural heritage preservation.

This trip was also the occasion for the visitors to discover locally made handcrafted items, and try delicious homemade food prepared by the Rihab Women’s Association, which supports women from the local communities by empowering them and providing them with opportunities to showcase their talents and earn a decent living.

Through initiatives such as this, UNESCO aims to promote greater community engagement in the rehabilitation and conservation of heritage sites in Jordan. The organization believes that by involving the local community, more people will benefit from the revenue generated by tourism, ensuring the sustainable development of the country's cultural heritage.