Visiting Israel: Abu Ghosh

Located eight miles west of Jerusalem you will find the Israeli-Arab town of Abu Ghosh. In 1948, this Arab village sided with the Israelis during the War of Independence and it is now a popular destination for local Jerusalem students, as well as tourists, who want to enjoy some authentic Arabic-style foods. Here you will find two interesting tourist attractions, the Crusader Church of the Resurrection and the Church of Notre Dame of the Ark.

The Crusader Church of the Resurrection was built in the 12th century and is the pride of Abu Ghosh. While not fully restored, it is still a wonderful place to visit to see ancient architectural design. The interior of the church was built to fully enjoy the sounds of the Gregorian chants within, but due to its lack of restoration these acoustics are less than ideal today. The church was also built on top of an ancient Canaanite cistern that is also worth visiting.

The Church of Notre Dame of the Ark is the site where the Ark of the Covenant last sat for twenty years before it was moved to Jerusalem by King David. It is built on the site where a 5th century Byzantine church once stood. Today, no one knows where the Ark of the Covenant may be hidden, yet many claim to have discovered its possible location.

Abu Ghosh is proud of its mixed heritage and takes pride in the fact that both Jews and Arabs can live together peacefully and prosperously here. A music festival is held here twice a year that features music from both cultures during the spring and the fall.