Pilgrim’s Home at Baptism Site of Jesus Christ on the River Jordan
Since 2006 a number of religious tourist projects have been implemented in the area of the baptism site of Jesus Christ in Jordan in order to establish an infrastructure for pilgrims visiting holy places.
In February 2007, in compliance with the decision of the King of Jordan Abdullah II, a plot of 1 hectare on the bank of the Jordan River was allocated to Russia. The plot is situated 300 m from the historical baptism site of Jesus Christ.
In accordance with the agreement concluded in 2007, Stroytransgaz fulfills the functions of general contractor and sponsor for design, construction, procurement and commissioning of the project, as well as owner-developer functions. Administrative Directorate of the President of Russian Federation is the customer for the project.
After the construction is completed, the Pilgrim’s Home will be handed over to the Russian Orthodox Church for pilgrim tours and reception of tourists.
The project under construction comprises the main and auxiliary buildings of total area of 8,524 square meters, including a hotel with 42 rooms, chapel, refectory, a building for honored guests, engineering structures.
The project area is located 375 meters below the World ocean level which makes it the lowest point of the firm-land on the Earth.
The construction is complicated by a number of specific natural, climatic and geological conditions:
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seismic activity of 9,5 magnitude on the Richter scale
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soft muddy ground loosing completely its bearing capacity when soaking
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seasonal water level raising in the Jordan River and flooding of the project area
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high day-time temperatures (up to +580С in summer)
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absence of utilities within a radius of 20 km
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location near the Jordan-Israel border
Considering the said conditions, a number of engineering and technical measures have been introduced to avoid considerable damage of buildings and engineering systems of the project if an earthquake or flooding occurs. Among other measures, bank back walls will be constructed to protect the soil against washing off as well as a wall to protect buildings against the rock fall from the side of mountains. To arrange ground bedding under the foundations, soft muddy ground will be replaced by clay ground for 3 meters deep. The level of the area will be raised by 2.25 meters to avoid its flooding.