Nisf Jubeil
The village name Nisf Jubeil means "half of a small mountain" (Jbeil is the diminutive form of a mountain). It is located about 17 km north of Nablus and is bordered by the village of Sebastia to the west, Beit Imrin to the north, Asira al-Shamaliya to the east, and Ijnisinya to the south. Situated 2.5 km east of Sebastia and approximately 400 meters above sea level, the village lies at the foot of a mountain overlooking several valleys, offering a stunning natural and cultural landscape.
The village is rich in springs, which have supported human settlement since ancient times, dating back to the Roman period and continuing uninterrupted to the present day. These springs have facilitated the cultivation of trees and various crops. However, the abundance of springs has decreased due to the occupation’s control of groundwater, redirecting it to benefit the settlements.
The village boasts several archaeological and historical sites, including the shrine of Al-Khader (Saint George), located north of the village and topped with a green dome, as well as a mosque and a church built during the Ottoman period. Numerous traditional and heritage houses, some dating back to the Ottoman era, are scattered throughout the village. Restoration and rehabilitation efforts for many of these buildings have promoted and revitalized tourism. One heritage house has been restored as a model of a traditional Palestinian home, featuring a central courtyard, a wide, high gate, and several rooms surrounding the yard, each designated for the married sons of the owner.
This traditional house is divided into three levels: the first level for animals, the middle level for living areas and storage spaces within the walls, and the upper level for sleeping quarters. The house also includes mud jars or containers for preserving grains, especially wheat and barley. It has been transformed into a kitchen offering traditional Palestinian food to tourist groups, and several rooms have been adapted as a guesthouse for tourists.
Rehabilitation and development efforts also include the establishment of a workshop for traditional Palestinian ceramics, creating job opportunities for the village's women and girls. This workshop produces various traditional ceramics exported to several Palestinian cities, such as Bethlehem, Jericho, and Ramallah.