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This complex 1.3 km north of Kastron Mefa'a includes an almost 14 m high Stylite tower, a small church with annexed premises, a two-storey square building, a cistern, and ancient quarries.
As far as is known, the Stylite tower is the only remaining building of this particular form of Christian hermitage. In the Byzantine era, it must have been an important pilgrimage destination, visited by a huge number of believers to consult the stylite monk, ask for his prayers and to achieve his blessing, in a manner that was the case of Saint Simeon Stylites the Elder in northern Syria.
The tower is built with a plain shaft and no stairway. A channel ran from top to bottom on the inside of the tower’s wall, maybe used as a toilet. For more details, also about the other buildings, see the information on the image pages.
This informative photo tour in four parts introduces and localizes the main attractions of Umm er-Rasas in a recommended route through the site.