At the time of the New Testament, Jericho had been rebuilt about one mile south of its previous location. Herod the Great (he died in 4 BC) had built a winter palace there.
Many rich people hibernated in Jericho at the time, because while snow can be expected in Jerusalem, the temperatures of 18-20 ° C in the Jericho desert are only 27 kilometers away.
Herod's palace was on the banks of the Wadi Qilt and was supplied with water via aqueducts. You can still see the pipeline today when you walk through the Wadi Qilt from Georg Monastery.
The excavation shows a magnificent building in Roman style with statues-lined alcoves, an artfully designed water garden, two courtyards and a swimming pool.