Scheduled to open in 2030 to commemorate the bimillennial of Christ’s baptism, a new site-specific museum at Bethany, Jordan, dedicated to Jesus Christ’s baptism, is expected to become a globally important spiritual and cultural landmark.
The project has the endorsement of His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. It is spearheaded by the Foundation for the Development of the Lands Adjacent to the Baptism Site.
The upcoming museum is situated near the UNESCO World Heritage Site — Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas), on the east bank of the Jordan River, a historic Christian pilgrimage site for centuries.
The shortlisted design teams for the Museum of Jesus’ Baptism at Bethany, Jordan, will respond to a brief emphasising the creation of a story-driven museum and garden. This sacred site, situated amidst a preserved wilderness, is dedicated to the history and significance of baptism within the Christian faith.
A welcoming space
The new museum will focus on Christian themes but remain welcoming and inclusive to all. It is located in a landscape where diverse traditions have coexisted for thousands of years. It aims to enhance the visitor experience at the Baptism Site by offering space for reflection, learning, and preparing visitors for a spiritual connection.
The museum, a gateway to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, guides visitors to the pilgrimage path leading to the river. Projected to host 400-450,000 visitors annually, it is partly funded by donors from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Foundation’s Board, with advice from MRC, selected a shortlist of teams for the competition’s second stage, comprising both renowned and emerging international architects (listed alphabetically and by team lead):
- AAU Anastas (Palestine / France / Jordan)
- heneghan peng architects (Ireland)
- Níall McLaughlin Architects (UK)
- Studio Anne Holtrop (Bahrain / Netherlands)
- Tatiana Bilbao ESTUDIO (Mexico)
- Toshiko Mori Architect (US)
- Trahan Architects (US)
Dr Tharwat Al Masalha, chair of the Jordan Foundation’s Board, says: “This project is one of the most significant cultural commissions in Jordan’s recent history. It reflects a national ambition to enrich the experience of visiting the Baptism Site for pilgrims, scholars, visitors and tourists alike.
“The museum will honor the site’s spiritual value and importance, while also expressing Jordan’s enduring history as part of the Holy Land and its commitment to peace and plurality.
“Confirming the shortlist brings us closer to creating a museum at one of the most sacred and spiritually resonant sites in the region. We congratulate the finalist teams and look forward to seeing their design concepts in the Fall.”
A story-led, faith-resonant museum
Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC), an expert in international architectural competitions, is managing the competition. Recently, MRC organised high-profile international contests for the Queen Elizabeth II National Memorial Masterplan in London, UK, and the expansion of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, US.
Malcolm Reading, competition director at Malcolm Reading Consultants, says: “We approached an international longlist of accomplished firms with experience in cultural projects, who are known for their placemaking skills. The seven finalist teams impressed with their understanding of the site’s spiritual resonance, and sensitivity to the surrounding ancient wilderness.
“As we move to the design phase, teams have been given a brief for a story-led, faith-resonant museum and encouraged to express the museum’s narrative arc through spatial rhythm and form.”
The museum will be the anchor project in the Baptism Development Zone masterplan, offering diverse experiences for pilgrims, researchers, and visitors worldwide. It has a $30 million construction budget, with funding secured. The winning design will be reviewed with UNESCO’s guidance for impact assessment.
Jordan offers a diverse range of natural wonders and historical sites, attracting visitors with its rich culture, hospitality, and UNESCO-listed heritage sites. The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism estimates 85% of visitors come for history, culture, and sites like Petra, Mount Nebo, and Wadi Rum. The Baptism Site is popular, and the upcoming Museum of Baptism is expected to attract more visitors.
In Autumn 2025, the shortlisted teams’ concept designs will be unveiled, and the winning team will be announced later in the year.
Last month, the Louvre in Paris launched a design competition for a new entrance and ‘Mona Lisa’ gallery. The expansion project aims to address overcrowding.
