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Jerusalem

Ein Karem

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Ein Karem

The Village

The Ein Kerem neighborhood is located in western Jerusalem, about a 20-minute drive from the city center. It is a picturesque neighborhood with a rural and peaceful atmosphere. A small and romantic village suitable for a half-day trip as a couple or with the whole family
Ein Kerem is one of the most important places for Christianity in the world, as it is believed by some to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. Scattered in the village are several churches and monasteries which are a pilgrimage center for tourists from all over the world.
I highly recommend strolling the quaint alleyways amongst the various art galleries and shops, dotted around the village there are also small boutique hotels which suit the character of the village. Enjoy a stop at one of the many cafes and restaurants overlooking the landscape. Almost all the businesses in the neighborhood are open on Saturdays.
Avoid going there on weekends because there are a lot of tourists and it is also very popular with Israelis. Churches and monasteries are not open to visitors on Sundays.
It is advisable to check the opening hours before arrival.

Mary’s Spring

In the center of the neighborhood is the fountain of the Virgin which has recently been refurbished.
According to belief, Mary, the mother of Jesus, visited the spring and drank from its waters. The spring water is considered holy water in the eyes of Christians and many tourists who stop at the fountain fill small bottles of water.

Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist

it is one of the most significant and important in Christianity because, according to belief, John the Baptist was born here. Archaeological finds from different eras have been found in the church: remains from the Second Temple period, Roman remains and Byzantine remains.

Notre Dame de Sion

From the church of John the Baptist you can continue to the Monastery of the Sisters of Zion, opened in the 19th century as an orphanage. The monastery is one of the most beautiful in Ein Kerem and is located at the highest point in the city. The monastery is surrounded by beautiful well-kept gardens, has a museum and is a perfect point to admire the village and hills of Jerusalem.

Gorny Convent – Moscovia Monastery

The history of the monastery is unique in the world, romantic and tragic at the same time, also known as the “unfinished church” of Princess Elizabeth Feodorovna, elder sister of the last Russian empress, was born in 1864 in Germany but had an English education, she is remembered as one of the most beautiful women of the time, she converted to the Russian Orthodox Church, married the Grand Duke of Russia, lived a very religious life and dedicated her whole life to works of charity, cared for orphans , poor and sick.
Towards the end of the 19th century, despite the growing hatred towards the royal family, she remained a loved character, in the middle of the 80s she decided to go to the holy land, in Jerusalem she met the elderly priest Antonin Kapustin who was very active in Jerusalem In strengthening Russia from a political-religious point of view, she continued it and undertook various projects, such as the creation of the church of Maria Magdalena on the Mount of Olives.
It was only at the end of the 90s that he discovered Ein Karem and fell in love with the village, where he spent long days with the Russian nuns.
In 1905 her husband was assassinated, it was then that she embarked on her last journey to the holy land, she decided to build a monastery dedicated to her beloved husband. A monastery that will have to be the most beautiful of all the churches in Jerusalem, will have to be built in “sorrow and love”, the construction took 9 years and stopped after the outbreak of the First World War. Elizabeth returned to Moscow. On May 18, 1918, she and the entire royal family were executed by the Bolsheviks. She was so loved that her remains were found and transported to Jerusalem where she was buried on the Mount of Olives. The monastery in Ein Karem remained unfinished for almost 100 years, only under the government of Ariel Sharon did the work resume, and thanks to the donation of President Boris Yeltsin were they finished. Today it is considered one of the most beautiful churches in the Middle East.

A trip into nature

SIf you love nature this is a wonderful trip but it is also a beautiful observation point.
You have to get to the end of Berkley street there is a kind of balcony/parking, just after the parking you have to pay attention to a gate with Roman stairs.
Apart from the spectacular panorama, you can continue the tour by walking up the mountain and descending towards the village. From the ancient stairs you can go directly to the main road of the village or take a slightly longer route up the mountain.
Take into consideration that you have to redo the entire climb to get your car back. The route is not suitable for families with prams or the disabled.

Ein Karem width kids

The village is very comfortable to go around with small children, take into consideration that there are many climbs.
A recommended attraction is the “Sweet’n Kerem” chocolate shop, a small chocolate shop that offers chocolate workshops, a very good ice cream parlor and a park where they can play.

Classical music in Ein Karem

For classical music lovers, there are numerous musical events on offer, check the Facebook page of the Eden-Tamir Music Center for dates and events, or visit their English site.

Marc Chagail in Ein Karem

For art lovers but above all for those who love Marc Chagail, on the opposite side of the village where the Hadassa Ein Karem hospital stands, you can admire the stained glass windows by Marc Chagail in the synagogue located inside the hospital which portray the 12 tribes of Israel .
I recommend getting there by car, parking is subject to charges.
To enter the synagogue you need to book a visit and buy tickets,
Hours: 8.30am – 4.30pm (last admission 3.30pm)
Contact windows@hadassah.org

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