Virgin Mary's Church (Mount Gerizim)
Located atop Mount Gerizim, this site is encircled by ancient structures. The Church of the Virgin Mary, built by Emperor Zeno in 484 AD, stood approximately 886 meters above sea level. Due to its sacred significance to the Samaritans, the church was attacked, burned, and destroyed. It was rebuilt in 536 AD with reinforced defensive walls to prevent further assaults. However, the church was ultimately destroyed by an earthquake in the eighth century AD.
During the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods, the eastern section of the wall and adjacent rooms were repurposed as a camp for the Ayyubid army. A shrine named after Sheikh Ghanem was constructed on the ruins of the northeastern church tower. Archaeological work on the church began in the early 1930s, revealing the church structure. In 1988 AD, comprehensive excavations uncovered the church, its defensive wall, and surrounding areas.
The church’s external layout features a rectangular wall measuring 100 x 83 meters, punctuated by six square defensive towers. Adjacent to the wall were rooms for the church’s parishioners and paved yards with regular-shaped stone tiles. The main entrance was located in the middle of the northern facade, overlooking Nablus, and was flanked by guard rooms. A stone staircase led down towards the city. A large pool near the northern wall collected rainwater from the church roof. Tombs from the Byzantine period, likely belonging to monks, were found outside the church's eastern apse.
The interior of the church featured a rectangular nave, notable for its octagonal shape, and was considered one of the most beautiful Byzantine churches discovered in Palestine. The western entrance had three gates, with the central gate being significantly wider than the two side gates, all facing the three apses on the eastern side. The central apse was notably larger, and the floor was likely covered with marble slabs, now relocated. The church had a dome supported by columns, with the stone bases still in place.
The Israeli Occupation authorities have since closed the church site and the summit of Mount Gerizim, designating it as an archaeological park under their control.