On top of a 700 meter high hill 38 miles (61km) from Amman, can be found the ruins of the Machaerus fortress, which belonged to Herod the Great. It is said that here Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, presented Salome with the head of John the Baptist.

The local name of the fortress is Al-Meshneq and it is reached by climbing an extremely steep footpath. Parts of the outer wall and towers, as well as some vestiges of the palace walls and baths, are still visible. From this vantage point, there is a most spectacular view across the Dead Sea and surrounding terrain.