Palestine

El-Bariyah: wilderness with monasteries

WHS Score 0.52 Votes 6 Average 0.67
El-Bariyah is a treeless, eroded limestone plateau with a semi-arid climate located between Jerusalem, Hebron and the Dead Sea. In the Byzantine period, hermits began to inhabit the caves of El-Bariyah and more than seventy monastic settlements were founded. Most notable is Mar Saba in the Kirdron Valley, which is considered one of the oldest inhabited monasteries in the world.
>

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
El-Bariyah: wilderness with monasteries (ID: 5708)
Country
Palestine
Status
On tentative list 2012 Site history
History of El-Bariyah: wilderness with monasteries
Criteria
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org

Community Information

Travel Information
No travel information
Recent Connections
No connections… yet. Propose a connection.
News

No news.

Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.

Community Reviews

Show full reviews
First published: 08/09/13.

Walter

El-Bariyah: Wilderness With Monasteries

El-Bariyah: wilderness with monasteries (On tentative list)

El-Bariyah: wilderness with monasteries by Walter

This project covers a widespread area south and east of Jerusalem. It is a montaneous desert habitat in a treeless thin-soiled and arid, eroded limestone plateau drained by wadi toward the dead see. It is dotted with ancient monasteries and holy places. I got a chance to visit that area in june 2013. I covered the southern area with a taxi from Bethlehem, and the eastern area with my rental car (you cannot take a rental car in Area A under full Palestinian control).

In the south:

- Herodion: ruins of a fortified palace erected by Herod, on top a a big hill, offerig magnificiant view on the desert below, and Bethlehem and jerusalem hills above. Can be reached by rental car from Jerusalem or by taxi from Bethlehem.

Looking south, you see the Wadi Khareitun (in Hebrew and on most maps:Nahal Tekoa), and guess the location of the three prehistoric caves).

- Mar Saba monastery, some 20 minutes drive from Bethlehem with a taxi. Cannot be reached with rental car. A Magnificent old fortified monastery clinched on the cliff overlooking the desert. The atmosphere is magical. Women cannot enter the monastery, and I was told that some days, the monk would not let non Orthodox in. I would recommend a visit anyway, even if you cannot enter the monatery itself. A very nice walk goes around the monasery and climb on the hill opposite, offering magical view on the complex.

- Deir Thodosios monastery, on the road between Bethlehem …

Keep reading 0 comments