Nablus,
approximately 63 kilometres north of
Jerusalem, is the second largest city in the
West Bank. It is a thriving industrial and
trade centre fill of archaeological sites
and ruins. Nablus is known around the world
for its exquisite olive oil, and olive oil
soap. In the Old City, one can wander for
hours through the market. Nablus is known
for it appetizing sweets. Sampling Knafeh,
made from a delicate combination of melted
cheese, shredded grain, and sugary honey
sauce. Visitors have been particularly
enthralled with the Roman Theatre near the
heart of the city.
Another
significant site is Jacob's Well, 2
kilometres east of Nablus by the village of
Balata. It is the site where Jesus is said
to have asked a Samaritan woman to draw
water from a well for him. Today Jacob's
Well is located in a Greek Orthodox
monastery and is open to the public.
Nablus has a
Samaritan Quarter west of town. The
Samaritans history dates back to 721 B.C.E.
Samaritans follow the Torah but they differ
from northern Judaism about the sites of
Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac and Joshua's
altar. Samaritans have identified sites on
Mount Gerzim in the Nablus region as the
locations for these events. Accordingly they
are a separate and small community of Hebrew
and Arabic speaking Jewish Palestinians.
Historical
Info | Nablus
Geography | Culture
and Tradition |Economic |
recipes
