Having just recently opened its doors in December 2018, the Musa Afandi Interpretation Center (MAIC) is an exciting new force in achieving greater understanding of what the boundlessly profound and immensely complex city of Jerusalem actually is, both throughout history and today. The center recognizes that Jerusalem’s depth and color cannot be accurately depicted by [...]
Taybeh is a small village located 32 kilometers north of Jerusalem and 13 kilometers northeast of Ramallah. A Canaanite village named Afra, meaning “the gazelle” or “the beautiful,” the village’s name was later changed to “Ephraim” in the Roman era, during the time of Christ. Later on, the name was changed again to “Taybeh,” meaning [...]
A visit to Bethlehem is really incomplete without delving into the city’s history and taking a walk through some of the many winding and picturesque old-city streets and staircases. The Church of the Nativity and Manger Square, though understandably major points of attraction for any visitor, are only the tip of the iceberg. A look [...]
The Dome of the Rock, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Nativity Church: without doubt Palestine’s most famous landmarks and spiritual sites. For many tourists, they form the main attractions in the Holy Land. However, spirituality in Palestine runs deep. It’s not just in the churches and mosques but in the caves, the [...]
If you come to Palestine during summer, it might seem like it’s too hot to do anything. But there is so much to do and learn, you won’t be sorry you spent your vacation in Palestine. You’ll hike the desert guided by moonlight, learn Arabic, and eat amazing food. Hang out with the locals [...]
There is no better way to explore the rich agricultural fields of Jenin than by passing through them on foot. In springtime, beautiful carpets of khobezeh (common mallow) that extend along the edges of barley and wheat fields await the hikers. Some might not know that this wild plant is actually one of the delicacies [...]
The city of Tulkarem is located 15 kilometers east of the Mediterranean Sea, and 88 kilometers northwest of Jerusalem; it is accessible by public transportation from Ramallah or Nablus. The hills of the city are between 55 and 120 meters above sea level and offer views onto the Mediterranean coastline. However, the city borders the [...]
The winter months are the best time to enjoy the warmer areas of the Jerusalem Wilderness, located just a few kilometers east of Jerusalem. There, the hilly landscape slopes steeply towards the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea, which marks the lowest point on Earth. Part of this area is home to ‘Arab Ar-Rashaida, the [...]
Despite its relatively small acreage, Palestine is a country with a rich diversity of natural scenery. Thanks to its unique geographical location at the crossroads of three continents, this small area encompasses various ecosystems that offer a wide range of beautiful landscapes. Marj Ibn Amer Marj Ibn Amer is an extensive farming plain that can [...]
In Palestine, and particularly in Bethlehem, olive-wood carving is a deeply rooted tradition. It is said that the craft arrived in the area as early as in the fourth century, together with the advent of Christian pilgrimage. However, the true turning point in the development of olive-wood art took place around the fourteenth [...]
