6 Palestinian historical sites

Palestine is one of the oldest countries in the world, with history spanning over centuries, like many other countries in the region.

Here are six magnificent historical sites in the Palestinian lands:

1. Yaffa Port

Yaffa city, currently in the occupied Palestinian land, holds the world’s oldest port. According to the bible, prophet Jonah sailed from that port before he was thrown in the sea and swallowed by a whale. The city also holds the Monastery of St. Peter, one of Jesus’s apostles.

2. Caesarea

One of the world’s oldest ancient and medieval port cities on the coast of the Eastern Mediterranean. It was established during the Roman empire and was named after Augustus Caesar in 22 BC.

3. Church of the Holy Sepulchre

The church is also known as the Church of Resurrection, and is Christianity’s holiest sites. It has been the pilgrimages site since the fourth century. It was built over the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection site of Jesus Christ.

4. The Church of Nativity

Situated in the West Bank, in Bethlehem, the church holds a prominent religious significance to Christians. It opened in 333 AD in the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It was constructed in the Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture.

5. Masjid Al Khalil

Situated in Palestine’s Al Khalil city, the mosque is one of the oldest in the world and is the burial place for four prophets. The mosque is built over the land which is believed to be bought by Prophet Ibrahim. When his wife, Sarah, died he decided to make it a family graveyard. The mosque holds the bodies of Prophet Ibrahim, Prophet Yaqoob, Prophet Youssef, and Prophet Ishaq.

6. Al Aqsa Compound

Islam’s third most holy site, Al Aqsa Compound holds both Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock Mosque. Established in 634, the compound was built on the area where Prophet Mohammed rose to the sky and met God. Al-Aqsa compound is one of the oldest religious sites in the world and the oldest surviving work of Islamic architecture in the world.