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City in the West Bank, Palestine
Photo: Wickey-nl, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Hebron (Arabic: الخليل al-Ḫalīl; Hebrew: חֶבְרוֹן Ḥevron, Ḥeḇrôn, or Ḥebron) is an ancient city in the southern West Bank. It is the traditional burial place of the Biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their wives. This makes it a significant religious site for the Abrahamic religions. In 2017, the old town was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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al Haram al Ibrahimi/Ibrahimi Mosque, Ma'arat HaMachpelah/Machpelah Cave
The main religious site in the city. The cave, where the Patriarchs and their wives are buried, is deep underground. Now, people pray in a building on top of the cave, built by King Herod about 2000 years ago. The building is divided into Muslim and Jewish sections. Visitors are welcome to visit both sides when they are not being used for scheduled prayer. The Muslim side provides cloaks for women to cover up when visiting. The Muslim side contains the only known entrance to the Cave below (it is locked by a marble door), as well as the tomb-markers of Isaac and Rebecca. The tomb-markers of Abraham and Sarah lie on the border of both the Muslim and Jewish sections, while the Jewish section contains the tomb-markers of Jacob and Leah. Most of the time, half of the building is used for Muslim and half for Jewish prayer. On a few predetermined days each year, each religion gets to use the entire building. For the Jews, in addition to the normal holidays, one of these days is "Shabbat Chayei Sarah" each fall, on which thousands of people from all of Israel visit Hebron to commemorate Abraham's purchase of the Cave from its previous Hittite owners. For the Muslims, it is on Fridays during Ramadan, and during the Eid al Fitr and Eid al Adha holiday, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son. The Cave of the Patriarchs is a , and the contested recognition of it led the US's and Israel's 2017 decision to leave the UNESCO on 31 Dec 2018.
The building of the Yeshiva built in 1901. Since 1980, it has been used by Jews as a yeshiva once again.
Tel Hebron
In this place archaeological digging revealed the ruins of a 4,500 years old city wall and staircase. On top of which a building with apartments was erected standing on pillars. In this building, also the Hebron Observatory can be found – just walk up the stairs inside of the building and hope the upper door is not locked. According to the nearby stationed Israeli Army, this is one of the most tense places in Hebron, because Palestinian and Jewish houses are built right next to each other with no fences or walls – you will notice by the different large flags posted in front of two houses.
These biblical figures are associated with King David. The site includes also a medieval-like Synagogue, built due to the tombs here, and the Giant's Wall.
The well supposedly used by Abraham.
Al Maskobiya
The Russian Orthodox monastery and church was founded in the early 20th century. Opening times vary, so call ahead.
An very old oak, venerated by some as the "Oak of Abraham".
In front of the mosque a 1000-year-old wall/church can be admired – it is being excavated with help of the Russian government.
Oak of Mamre
This Christian holy site commemorates Abraham's visitation by three angels.
First built in 1540, this synagogue was destroyed in 1948 but later rebuilt. It serves as the center of the Jewish community in Hebron.
مسجد الشيخ علي بكاء
13th-century mosque.
مسجد الجوالي
Built in 1320.
The historic Jewish cemetery in Hebron, dating back to the 13th century. It was largely destroyed after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War but has been restored. The cemetery includes a memorial to the Jewish victims of the 1929 massacre.
متحف الخليل القديمة
The main museum in Palestinian side of Hebron. Housed in the former Palestine Hotel, a magnificent restored building in the old town built in 1929. It showcases a limited number of antiquities but mainly features stories and images from Hebron's early history to the present day.
מוזיאון חברון
Also known as the Hebron Visitors Center, this is the main museum on the Jewish side of Hebron. It showcases the Jewish history in Hebron up until the present day.
متحف جامعة الخليل
A small antiques museum managed by the university in Hebron, features coins and pottery from the Classical period.
Tour has two guides: one is Israeli & one is Palestinian. Offers a great dual-perspective on the history of Al-Khalil/Hebron.
BTS offers tours of the Israeli/H2 side of Hebron. It is led by ex-soldiers that share their personal experiences from working in the IDF. This is a very popular tour; you should sign-up 1 month in advance. Note that the bus leaves from Tel Aviv, and you cannot join the group unless you leave from Tel Aviv.
A nice old guy that must have been here for ages. No seating.
More like a restaurant and buzzing.
Great falafel and you can put the salad by yourself, i.e. as many pickles as you want.
قهوة بدران
A historic café on the Palestinian side which has been around for at least 150 years. The place to have an intellectual discussion over Arabic coffee in town.
Hostel in Hebron
The budget and increasingly popular option in town.
There is a possibility to stay with families in the old city of Hebron. Some of these families have extra rooms that are usually rented to visitors. Trips can also be arranged.
Hebron Hotel
You can check with the hotel management about the availability of rooms and prices
Sells blown glass and ceramic plates, tiles, ornaments and decorations (such as those seen in the markets in Jerusalem) which Hebron is famous for, at very reasonable prices. The shops in Jerusalem buy from this factory, so it's better to cut out the middle-man and buy here. The factory, which allows visitors to see how the glass ornaments are made, is also worth seeing.
The only Kafiya (Arab chequered scarf) factory left in Palestine. They make very beautiful kafiyas in different colours.
Sells various handmade souvenirs and trinkets.
In general
The Hebron Bus Station for servees to and from the surrounding areas, and even Bethlehem and Ramallah is on the upper floors of the Jeel-Saed shopping centre along Adel Street.
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Tel Aviv · International · TLV
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