Al-Badhan Village
The village of Al-Badhan is situated as an extension of the neighboring Talouza village, northwest of its borders. Together, the village and its surrounding valley form a stunning natural preserve. The region is characterized by its unique topography, geological formations, and rich biodiversity, which includes a diverse vegetation cover of poplar, willow, bamboo, and other trees. This greenery remains lush throughout the year, and the valley lands teem with various reptiles, other wildlife, and numerous resident and migratory bird species.
This valley is one of the tributaries of the larger Wadi al-Fara'a, converging with it at the Al-Malaki Bridge, located 5 km to the southeast. Surrounding the valley are approximately 1,500 dunums of forested lands. The village itself sits atop seven natural springs, the most significant of which are Ein Sidra, Ain Al-Tabban, Ein Al-Jisr, Ein Hamad, and Ein Kadira. Historically, this valley represented a natural passage for some of the oldest roads linking the Jordan Valley with the Mediterranean ports through Nablus, with the abundant springs facilitating human settlement dating back to the Stone Age.
Along the southwestern bank of the upper valley, adjacent to the present-day Nablus-Tubas road, lie the ruins of a site dating to the Roman and Byzantine eras, known as Khirbet Farweh. However, no formal archaeological excavations have been conducted to uncover the full details of this ancient structure. Additionally, the village lands include a prominent rock formation referred to as the "Rock of Death," situated at the top of the Sajur Valley to the south. According to local lore, this rock gained infamy when British forces carried out death sentences against Palestinian revolutionaries from its summit during the 1936 uprising.
During the Ottoman period, dozens of water-powered grain mills were constructed along the valley, unified in their architectural design of water channels carried on walls or high arches. The flow of water would cascade through an upper opening, turning a wheel at the base of the mill building, which then drove the millstone. These mills served as vital infrastructure for surrounding and distant villages to grind wheat and other grains. However, their use eventually declined and disappeared as modern milling equipment emerged.
Presently, Al-Badhan is considered a popular tourist destination for Palestinians from across the country, with its valley parks receiving large crowds during the summer season. Nevertheless, this beautiful natural landscape faces growing threats of distortion and potential disappearance due to rapid urban development, including the establishment of numerous tourist and private facilities encroaching on the valley's vegetation.