Perched 500 metres above Nablus on Mount Jarzim resides the oldest and smallest religious sect in the world; the Samaritans. Their isolated settlement is easily reached by a 10-minute taxi journey from the city centre, and is home to an informative museum, restaurant and a well-preserved archaeological site.
The Samaritans – whose population currently numbers around 750 – consider the mountain the first piece of land created by God, and believe it is therefore their job to protect it. They also believe it is here that Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. Samaritan pilgrims still journey to Mount Jarzim during the 40 days of the feast of the Passover, a ritual dating back thousands of years.
The village itself is much like any other in the West Bank, with modern houses and shops. The well-kept museum here displays a diverse collection of artefacts and religious scripts, which helps bring the Samaritan story to life. Guided tours cost 25 Shekels per person.
Continuing up the main road from the museum brings you to the gates of the archaeological site, where the ancient city has been expertly uncovered. This small area is under Israeli management, and entry to the site costs around 24 Shekels (less if you are a student).
The remains show the old Samaritan city, which existed in the Hellenistic period before being destroyed by John Hyrcanus in 128BC. It was divided into four residential quarters, and signs of urban planning along marked streets are clear to see. The sacred precinct – constructed in the fifth century BCE – can also be explored. While the Byzantine church and its enclosure is probably the stand-out feature of the site, with its fortified walls, three entrances and large central pool. A view point here provides stunning views of the valley below.