The Roman Emperor Justinian (527-665 A.D.) constructed a church in it. It was in his reign that a road was built joining it with Petra. The caravans used to cross it in 3-4 days. Another road was built joining it with Bisan.
It appears that churches and convents became more numerous than they were in the seventh century. Arco Levaux said that three was a church at Al-Juljal, and another at the place where it is thought that Jesus took off His garment before His baptism. Another church was built inside a large convent under the name of St. John. It lies on a height overlooking the Jordan River.
Nevertheless this did not prevent the deterioration, neglect and ruin that began to befall Jericho and the churches and convents round it, following the diversion of the caravan route. The hermits' caves on the Mount of Temptation overlooking the city, remained an indication of the lofty spirit of the early and medieval centuries.