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The initiative aims to further strengthen Jordan’s position as a destination for religious and cultural tourism, while promoting a shared spiritual heritage rooted in both Christian and Islamic traditions and fostering long-term, sustainable economic growth.
Based on a fruitful and longstanding cultural partnership with Jordan, Italy is fully committed to contributing to enhancing archaeological sites not only as historical landmarks, but as dynamic resources for strengthening local communities and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
The implementation phase of the project “Support to the socio-economic recovery and promotion of sustainable local development through the enhancement of cultural heritage sites” will start through two key site events that will bring together local authorities, academic partners, technical experts and local community. These two events, a site visit at Mukawer on Thursday, July 2nd, 2026, followed by a session at Abila on Sunday, July 5th, 2026, will set a major milestone for the project’s execution. During both days, key partners will present upcoming works, expected results, and the framework’s archaeological, architectural, and conservation plans, marking the first major step forward after extensive preparation.
Beyond physical infrastructure, the project places strong emphasis on the protection of the landscape and the enrichment of the visitor experience. This includes significant investments in securing access routes to the Mukawer fortress and in the preservation of historical caves along the path, which serve to highlight the tangible and intangible heritage of the area.
Capacity building remains a central pillar of the initiative as well. Specialized training programs for the staff of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities (MoTA) and the Department of Antiquities (DoA) are scheduled to begin on July 14, in partnership with Yarmouk University, focusing on integrated conservation and advanced archaeological research methodologies.
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