To those who want to come and visit Nablus, here we are going to mention the places that recommended to visit during your time there where you see the most important and historical attractions.
Nablus is located in the northern West Bank and is well worth your visit. It is 30 miles (49km) to the north of Jerusalem. Nablus’ location is very important because it has connected trade routes throughout history.
The city is inhabited by more than 126,000 people, while the city and its 56 surrounding villages reach a population of about 321,000 (2007 estimates). The name of the city comes from the Roman Emperor Vespasian who founded it in 72 BCE as Flavia Neapolis. Nablus is the third oldest city in the world.
What you can see in Nablus?
Nablus is full of historical sites that goes back to many of years ago. The name of the city comes from the Roman Emperor Vespasian who founded it in 72 BCE as Flavia Neapolis. Nablus is the third oldest city in the world.
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The old city
The Old City in Nablus has important sites going back to the 1st to 15th centuries. The Old City includes six major quarters: Yasmina, Gharb, Qaryun, Aqaba, Qaysariyya, and Habala. These quarters all have historical sites.
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Nablus Hamaams
In Nablus there are six hamaams (Turkish baths). Al-Shifa Hamaam was built in 1624, and Al Hana Hamaam, located in Yasmina quarter, was built in the 19th century. There you can take a bath in Turkish old style and have a relax times out there including steam rooms, hot baths and great massages.
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Mount Gerizim
Mount Gerizim located to the south of the city. The mount is the most highest peaks in Palestine where it rises to 881 meters above the sea level. On the top of this mount, approximately 7122 of Samaritans community live out there.
This society believes in the Prophet Moses and took the sacred book of the Torah and only the first five books of the Old Testament only. Samaritan still maintain the character, heritage and traditions stemming from the Samaritan religion, where members of the community learn the ancient Hebrew language and the religion by priests and elders who live on top of the mountain. Mount Gerizim is for this community is the “direction of their prayers.”
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Al-Aqsa Kanafeh
In this place you taste the best kenafeh in Nablus. If you do not know what Kenafeh is, it is kind of sweet that consists of a paste that including vermicelli in the form of long filaments adding to it margarine and Kater (it is a sugar, water and some additions that boiling together). This shop considered part of the city’s Heritage which goes back to hundreds of years, offering fresh hot Kunafa to its customers throughout the day.
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Khan al-Tujjar
Khan al-Tujjar located in the old city of Nablus and represents the central market center of the city. This ancient market was built in the sixteenth century by the turkish minister Lala Mustafa Pasha. This was a market center for fabric trading in Nablus. Mary Rogers, the sister of the British consul in Haifa during the late 1850 described this market as “the most exquisite fabrics market in Palestine.
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Hanbali mosque
Hanbali mosque a historic mosques in Nablus. It located in the center of the old city which was built during the reign of the Ottoman empire by Sultan Suleiman. This site considered very important due to the presence of the closet that contains three hairs of the Prophet Muhammad that been brought from Constantinople.
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Mount Ebal
Mount Ebal is a mountain overlooking the city of Nablus in Palestine, it is located to the north of city, therefore it is also called the Northern Mountain. This mount is one of the highest peaks in Palestine that stretching from Nazareth to the outskirts of Jerusalem.
This mount rises around 950 meters above sea level where you can see Lebanon, Al-Salt and Caramel Mountains as well as the Jordan Valley and the western coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
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Jacob’s Well
Jacob’s Well or Samaritan well located in the Balata area on the outskirts of the city of Nablus. It is believed that Jesus drank from this well as it passed Samaria on his way from Jerusalem to Galilee.
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Wadi Bathan
Wadi Bathan is a natural area that located 5 km to the northeast of the city of Nablus on the road leading to the Jordan Valley.
This Region characterized by abundant springs and diversity of wildlife. The area considered the most beautiful natural areas in Palestine and established the nature reserve to preserve the wildlife there. There are many types of birds such as the Syrian Woodpecker and fisherman and Falcon Goldfinch and many others.
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The Tiger Palace
The Tiger Palace was a huge Palace built in Nablus, in the seventh century. The Palace is located in the north-east of Habla neighborhood built by Abdullah Pasha Tiger who was the leader of the Turkish military troops that were sent to quell domestic strife, and to ensure security for the area.
Abdullah Pasha was the governor of Nablus and he was a founder for a local family whom ruled Nablus for several generations where the palace was a base for their rule in the city.
