St. George's Monastery

St. George's Monastery (Mar Jaris) is an extraordinary Greek Orthodox complex built into the sheer rock faces of the Wadi Qelt gorge in the Judean Desert. Originally established in the 5th century by John of Thebes, it reached its zenith under St. George of Choziba in the 6th century, whose name it bears today. The current structure is largely the result of a massive restoration project completed in the late 19th century after the site lay in ruins following the Persian invasion. To reach the monastery, visitors must hike down a steep, winding path that passes ancient aqueducts and hermit caves hollowed out of the limestone cliffs. Inside, the monastery houses sacred relics, including the remains of St. George of Choziba and the skull of St. John of Romania. The dramatic juxtaposition of the hanging stone buildings against the arid desert landscape creates a powerful sense of isolation and spiritual devotion.

Nearby cities

East Jerusalem

East Jerusalem includes the Old City and major religious sites such as the Dome of the Rock.

Nablus Old City

The Old City is famous for its historic market and traditional soap factories.

Nablus

Nablus is situated between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim and is famous for its traditional soap production.

Ramallah

Ramallah is the political and economic administrative center of the West Bank.

Al-Bireh

Al-Bireh is adjacent to Ramallah, forming a continuous urban area.

Surif

Surif is located in the northwestern Hebron Governorate near the Green Line.

Al-Ram

Al-Ram is located north of Jerusalem and is a busy commercial and residential area.

Halhul

Halhul is located north of Hebron on one of the highest points in the West Bank.

Jericho

Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, located deep below sea level.

Bani Na'im

Bani Na'im is located east of Hebron and is known as the 'City of Martyrs'.

Sa'ir

Sa'ir is located northeast of Hebron in a deep valley.

Al-Eizariya

Al-Eizariya is historically known as Bethany and is located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.

Beit Jala

Beit Jala is a predominantly Christian town west of Bethlehem.

Tubas

Tubas is in the northeastern West Bank overlooking the Jordan Valley.

Beit Sahour

Beit Sahour is located east of Bethlehem and is traditionally identified with the Shepherds' Fields of the biblical Nativity story.

History & landmarks

Old City of Hebron

The Old City of Hebron is a labyrinth of narrow streets and Mamluk architecture centered around the Ibrahimi Mosque.

Old City of Ramallah

The historical center of Ramallah preserves many Ottoman-era stone houses and serves as a vibrant cultural hub.

St. George's Monastery

This monastery in Wadi Qelt is famous for its location in a deep canyon.

Nature

Wadi Qelt Nature Reserve

This deep canyon in the Judaean Desert features year-round springs and a diverse ecosystem.

More places

Wadi Qelt

This deep rocky valley stretches from Jerusalem to Jericho, featuring year-round freshwater springs.

Mount of Temptation

This steep mountain near Jericho rises prominently above the Jordan Valley.