Mar Saba Monastery

   A 5th C AD monastery, the largest in the Judean desert. The walled complex is built on the southern cliffs of the Kidron creek. It was established by Saint Sabas, and named after him. The monastery started as a place of seclusion of few monks in the caves, led by Mar Saba.

Herodion

   Herod the Great built this monumental fortress and palace in the Judean desert south of Jerusalem, and was buried here. The site was a rebel stronghold during the great revolts against the Romans. It is one of the most exciting archaeological sites in Israel.

Flavius Wars 1 21 10: "... built a fortress upon a mountain towards Arabia, and named it from himself, Herodium"

Mar Elias

    A 12th C Greek-Orthodox monastery, on the side of the road from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Built over the ruins of a Byzantine church, it serviced the pilgrimage route to Bethlehem.

1 Kings 19: 2: Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah... And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah..."

Emmaus    - Overview

 Emmaus, also known as Hammat or Nikopolis, was a large city from the Hellenistic period through the Byzantine period.  It is strategically  located on the main road from the plains to Jerusalem.

     Luke 24 13: "And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs".

Emmaus   - Basilica

   The site is situated on the beginning of the road that climbs up to Jerusalem, about 30 Km west of the Holy City. It is believed to be the site of the village where Jesus, after resurrection, said farewell to Cleophas and his companion, according to Luke's Gospel.

Emmaus    - Roman Bath

   A well preserved 3rd C AD structure, located inside the Arabic cemetery in Emmaus. It served as the Roman city's bath.

Emmaus    - Valley of Springs

   This Late Roman water system supplied the water to the city of Emmaus-Nicopolis.

Emmaus    - Fortress

   A Hasmonean period fortress located inside the Ayalon park. It was fortified by Bacchides during the Maccabee revolt.

Emmaus    - Wine Presses

   Ancient wine presses are located in Park Ayalon (Canada).

Isaiah 5:2: "And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes".

Kathisma ("Seat")

       Ruins of an Octagon shaped Byzantine church and monastery, located near Mar Elias, on the road to Bethlehem.

Luke 2 4-5: "And Joseph also went up from Galilee... unto ... Bethlehem... with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child".

Jabal Munttar ('Azazel)

High mountain in the Judean desert, site of a ruined Byzantine monastery, and probable place of the Biblical scapegoat ceremony.

Leviticus 16 10: ""But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness."

Horkania

     A 2nd C BC Hasmonean fortress in the northern Judean desert. It was reinforced by Herod the Great. During the Byzantine period a Monastery was built by the Judean monks.  

Nebi Musa

      An ancient Holy Muslim site located on the side of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, dedicated to Prophet Moses (Nebi Musa). 

Water in the Judean desert

    In the dry Judean desert, water is life. Its few residents rely on wells and springs in order to survive.

Nebi Samuel - Overview

       The holy site of Nebi Samuel is the traditional tomb of prophet Samuel, with remains from the Hasmonean period (2nd C BC) through the Crusaders period (12th C AD).

1 Samuel 10 17: "And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh"

Nebi Samuel -  

 Hasmonean / Maccabee

     This page focuses on the ancient Hasmonean village in Nebi Samuel. It may have been the place called Mizpah of Benjamin.

(1 Hasmonean  3 46): "Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah".

     This page focuses on the Crusaders period in Nebi Samuel, from their arrival (1099) to their departure (1187).

Nebi Samuel (Samwil)

  Ottoman/British

     This page focuses on the Ottoman & British period in Nebi Samuel.

   Roads to Jerusalem

   The Roman road from Emmaus  passed through a narrow mountain passage named Nahal Ilan (Wadi A'lakah), and started here its ascent to to the Holy City of Jerusalem.

Euthymius Monastery

   A large walled 5th C monastery and pilgrimage inn, with huge underground water reservoirs.

Martyrius Monastery

   A large walled Byzantine monastery, founded by Martyrius in the 5th C. The site,   one of the largest and most beautiful communal monasteries in the Judean Desert, was recently opened to the public after extensive excavations & restoration.

Inn of the Good Samaritan

      The site served as a hostel along the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, with remains from the Roman period to the Ottoman period. A new archaeological museum was opened here.

Joshua 15:7:  "Adummim, which is on the south side of the river...".

Horvat Hanut -

     Roads to Jerusalem

        The Roman road from Elah Valley   passed through Horvat Hanut, and started here its ascent to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

Kh. Matta and Ein Tannur -    

    the springs of Noah

   Ancient remains and springs are located in the Zanoah valley. They are named after Noah and the great flood.

Joshua 15, 33-34: "And in the valley...  Zanoah"

Elah Valley (Overview)

   The famous site of the battle between David and Goliath.

1 Samuel 17 2: "And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. "

Shaaraim ("Two gates")

   Remains of a Biblical city, dated to the times of David. Its name means "twin gates", which were found in the excavations of Khirbet Qeiyafa.

   1 Samuel 17:52: "And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim..."

Sochoh

   Remains of a Biblical city, dated to the times of David and successor kings of Judah. It was an important fortified gateway city, protecting the western flank of the Kingdom.

  2 Chronicles 11 5-12: "And Rehoboam ... built cities for defense in Judah. He built ...  Shoco...".

Azekah

   Remains of a mighty Biblical city, located above the valley of Elah. The city was one of the strongholds of the Kingdom of Judah, which protected its western border.

Joshua 10 11: "...the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah".

Adullam

  Remains of a Biblical city, located south of the valley of Elah. This was the home village of the wives of Judah, the hiding place of future king David, and a city fortified by King Rehobam.

1 Samuel 22:1: "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam".

  An important Biblical city, located in the valley of Nahal Sorek. Beth Shemesh is mentioned in connection with the return of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines.

1 Samuel 6:12: "And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway..."

Beit-Jamal Monastery

  Beit-Jamal is a Monastery, located south of Beth-Shemesh. It is named after Gamaliel the Elder, and is the place of his burial and of St. Stephen - the first Christian martyr.

Valley of Elah - Roman Road

  A collection of Roman milestones, on the road from Ashkelon to Jerusalem.

Nahal Sekhakha (Secacah stream)

       A narrow canyon north of the fortress of Horkania, with remains of a Byzantine monastery, water reservoirs, and two ancient mysterious tunnels.

Secacah

 Secacah (Sekhakha),  part of Biblical Judea, is identified in the ruins of Karem es-Samra ("black vineyard"), in the valley of Horkania, west of the ancient fortress.

   Joshua 15 61: "In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah".