Ein Karem
Ein Karem is an ancient village `where John the Baptist was born and raised. Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth when she was pregnant with John the Baptist.
Bethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city located in the central West Bank. It is located 6 miles southwest of Jerusalem and is the birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem means “house of bread`. It was in Bethlehem, young David`s hometown, that the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king of Israel.
Sebastia
View of the hills of modern day Sabastia (Samaria)
Jericho
Jericho is also called the “City of Palms” and spreads out on the west side of the Jordan River. It is one of the oldest cities in the world and lies 800 feet below sea level. In the distance is the Mt. of Temptation. Joshua 6:1-5
At Tel es Sultan are the remains of an 8,000 BC settlement. In 3,000 BC, Jericho was an important Canaanite town. After being encircled by Joshua, it fell to the blast of the priest’s trumpets in about 1,250 BC. In the picture above is the Neolithic tower dating to about 8 – 7,000 BC. It stands about 26 feet high.
Wilderness
The Judean Wilderness has been for the most part uninhabited throughout history. It lacks water but does provide good travel routes. When on the run from King Saul, David hid in various places in the Judean Wilderness. (1 Kings 23) John the Baptist preached here as well. Matthew 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea.
Herodian
The Herodiom is set on a high hilltop in the Judean Wilderness. It is was built over a pre-existing hill by King Herod the Great. The site is located 9 miles south of Jerusalem and 3 miles south-east of Bethlehem. The hill is 2,490 feet above sea level and is the highest peak in the Judean desert. The Herodium was built from 23 to 15 BC and consisted of a palace fortress and at its base was a small town including an entertainment area, administrative center and the king’s funeral complex. It is believed that when King Herod died they buried him in a tomb at the top of the fortress.