Sites around Ramallah
13 km southwest of Ramallah is Nabi Samwil. On a mountain top, 890m above sea level, this village is traditionally held to be the site of the prophet Samuel's tomb and has been a centre of pilgrimage and worship for Jews, Christians, and Muslims since at least the 6th Century, although Samuel was actually buried in Rama. The site itself consists of a large turreted building and a darkened cellar with a cloth covered tomb venerated as Samuel's. It was from here that the Crusaders, approaching Jerusalem in 1099, caught their first glimpse of the Holy City, and called it Mount Joy. They built a church here in 1157, and its painted arches and buttressed walls are today incorporated in the mosque which was built in 1911. Today there is free access (except during times of prayer) to the Minaret and its views of Jerusalem, the mountains of Jordan and on a clear day the Mediterranean. To get here take a special taxi from Ramallah or A-Ram.
A few kilometres to the north of Nabi Samwil lies the Palestinian village of A-Jiib, site of Biblical Gibeon whose inhabitants tricked Joshua into making a pact with them against the Canaanites (Joshua 9). In the 7th century BC the city became prosperous through its wine production, as witnessed by excavations which have uncovered 63 wine cellars, each capable of storing 42 large barrels of wine. The city was finally destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC. It is worth visiting because of the excavations of Gibbeon, especially the excellently preserved ancient water system. Near the village cemetery is a rock hewn pool. Entrance to the pool is from an opening at the back of the nearby tel and with flashlights you can descend right to the heart of the ancient city, thought to be over 3500 years old. The worn steps and their polished sides show how frequently they were used while the smoke-darkened niches show where oil-lamps once stood. To get here take a service to A-Jiib from either Ramallah or A-Ram. Follow the Biddu road from the village and walk up to the 'parking lot' from where a rough path leads to the excavations.