The Monastery of Bir El-Hamam
The monastery, once home to wild pigeons nesting in a well on its site, was discovered on a peak above Mount Gerizim, overlooking Nablus. Located on land owned by Palestinian businessman Munib al-Masri, whose private palace now stands atop its ruins, the monastery offers a stunning view of Nablus from the eastern side of Tel al-Ras. It was contemporaneous with the nearby Church of the Virgin Mary on Mount Gerizim, reflecting the Byzantine era’s boom in churches and monasteries across Palestine. These religious institutions managed large agricultural lands and were designed to accommodate both spiritual and practical needs, with sections for living quarters, churches, storerooms, and animal stables.
Although the monastery itself was not previously documented in archaeological surveys or historical sources, the well (Bir al-Hamam) was recorded. The monastery came to light accidentally in the late 1990s during construction for Munib al-Masri's palace. Upon revealing the ruins, construction was halted, leading to archaeological excavations by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and An-Najah National University, which uncovered the monastery’s features.
The excavations revealed three main sections:
1. Outer Section: Accessible via the main gate on the east facade, this area included an animal stable and a drinking pool for animals, located to the south.
2. Middle Section: Entered through an indoor gate from the outer section, this part features an open paved courtyard with large white mosaics and the Al-Hamam well, a large rainwater collection tank. Water was channeled from the church roof through clay pipes and ground channels for the monks’ use. The western end of this courtyard leads to a staircase descending towards the church. The church comprises an external room with white mosaic floors, two connected rooms—the western prayer hall and the eastern church structure—where the altar remains. The floors were adorned with colored mosaics and Latin inscriptions, although incomplete, and included some glass fragments.
3. Western Suite: Designated for housing, this section was partially demolished, with only the eastern end remaining. The monastery was encircled by a strong stone wall with several protective towers.
Following the construction of the palace, the monastery’s ruins were preserved within the palace grounds. The site is now managed by the palace’s owner in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. The area has been equipped with wooden paths and a small museum showcasing artifacts from the excavations, including stone decorations, storage jars, metal chandeliers, and ceiling tiles from the Byzantine and Mamluk periods.