Sodom and Gomorrah: the Cities of the Plain and the Valley of Siddim
From the Genesis narrative to the excavations at Bab edh-Dhra and Tall el-Hammam: what we know — and what we do not — about the cities destroyed near the Dead Sea.
Biblical period: The Patriarchs
Lot’s Cave in Jordan: sanctuary and visitor guide
Above Ghor Safi, a Byzantine sanctuary preserves the tradition of Lot’s refuge after the destruction of Sodom.
- Where : Deir Ain Abata, near Ghor Safi, Jordan
- Duration : ≈ 1 h
- Access : Confirm opening
Essentials
Lot’s Cave lies on the hillside above Ghor Safi, southeast of the Dead Sea in Jordan. At Deir Ain Abata, a church and monastic complex grew around a cave connected by Christian tradition with Lot and his daughters.
This is a place of religious memory with archaeological remains. The sanctuary documents pilgrimage and local tradition; it does not demonstrate that Lot occupied this particular cave.
In brief
- Why go
- Genesis 19:30 describes Lot leaving for a cave in the mountains.
- What you'll see
- The sanctuary, church remains and landscape above Ghor Safi.
- Check before you go
- Confirm opening and walking access before travelling.
History & Bible
Bible story
From Zoar to the mountains — Genesis 19:30
Lot first reaches Zoar, spared at his request. Afraid to remain there, he then moves into the mountains with his two daughters and settles in a cave. Genesis names neither the mountain nor the cave. The identification at Deir Ain Abata belongs to the later interpretation of this account.
Archaeology
A church built around a cave
The surviving structures belong to the Christian sanctuary of the Byzantine and subsequent periods. The church and associated buildings show how pilgrims gave architectural form to religious memory. The setting of the biblical narrative, the development of the local tradition and the date of the visible masonry must be considered separately.
Tradition and identification
Reading the Dead Sea landscape
The hillside setting illustrates the contrast between plain and mountains in Genesis 19. Questions about the destroyed cities are discussed on the page about Sodom and the cities of the Plain. The guide to the Dead Sea in the Bible introduces the wider region.
Sources and references
Plan my visit
Lot’s Cave: planning your visit
- Approach
- An uphill walk; bring water, suitable shoes and sun protection.
- Indicative time
- About one hour, excluding driving and additional breaks.
- Check in advance
- Opening, any admission charge and access to individual parts of the sanctuary.
Getting there & GPS
Lot’s Cave
Sanctuary of Lot, Deir Ain Abata, near Ghor Safi, Jordan
The marker locates the sanctuary. Confirm the arrival point and authorised walking approach locally.
GPS coordinates : 31.0468, 35.5025 (reference point, not the exact entrance)
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Planning a sanctuary visit
The approach includes an uphill walk in exposed terrain. Heat, mobility and path conditions affect its difficulty. Ask the site or a local operator which areas are open. Allow approximately one hour as an indicative visit, excluding travel and additional rests. Inclusion on a biblical itinerary does not automatically mean admission is covered by a tourist pass.
What's next
What to see after this visit?
Linked by the same story
These sites share a story but are not necessarily close to each other: distances are given in a straight line.
Zoar and Ghor Safi: Lot, Zoara and the Dead Sea
Southeast of the Dead Sea, the Ghor Safi region provides a setting for exploring historic Zoara and the memory of Zoar.
Dead Sea: the biblical Salt Sea and places to visit
The biblical Salt Sea is a landscape of cliffs, oases and salt-lined shores, best explored through individual visitor sites.
Frequently asked questions
Is this certainly the cave where Lot lived?
It is a traditional identification, not an attribution demonstrated by archaeology.
Is Lot’s Cave in Israel?
No. This sanctuary is in Jordan, near Ghor Safi.
How old are the visible remains?
They mainly document the Christian sanctuary, centuries after the traditional setting of the Genesis story.
Does the approach involve walking?
Yes. There is an uphill approach; confirm current conditions before visiting.
Is admission included in the Jordan Pass?
Do not assume so. The official biblical trail distinguishes itinerary stops from included attractions. Check both pass and site conditions.