Tourism Interpretation Center
Located at the eastern end of the public square of the Roman city of Sebastia, the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities established a tourist interpretation center in 2014. This center was designed to offer tourism services and address challenges imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities. These challenges include restricting visitor movement to enforce an occupation reality and perpetuating a false narrative that undermines Palestinian cultural heritage. This situation became more pronounced after the Oslo Accords divided the city into Areas B and C, with ongoing Israeli control over the archaeological sites and restrictions on Palestinian management and investment in heritage tourism.
The center was constructed with architectural considerations suited to the archaeological site's significance. It features an interpretation hall capable of accommodating fifty people, equipped with an audio-visual system to screen a documentary film in Arabic and English. This film details the historical periods of Sebastia and showcases the city's archaeological elements. Additionally, the center includes health facilities, administrative offices, and a parking area for cars and buses. The facility is managed by staff from the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.