Joseph's Tomb, Funerary structure in Balata al-Balad, West Bank
Joseph's Tomb is a white stone structure located at the eastern entrance of the valley between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal near Nablus. The building features a domed chamber with stone walls and a narrow entrance from the outside.
Post-biblical records placing Joseph's Tomb near Shechem begin in the early 4th century CE, and the absence of Jewish or Christian mentions before the 5th century points to a Samaritan site. The present small rectangular room with a cenotaph dates entirely to an 1868 rebuilding and holds no older architectural elements. It was looted and razed at the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000, then refurbished with a new cupola in 2009–2010.
The site bears the name of the biblical figure whose remains are believed to rest here according to tradition. Pilgrims from different faiths come to pray and pay their respects at this shared sacred location.
Access requires coordination with the relevant authorities, as visits depend on current regional conditions. Travelers should check ahead and allow extra time for security procedures.
Muslims venerate the site as the grave of Sheikh Yusef al-Dwaik, an 18th-century local figure, which is why the shrine carries a second, Islamic identity alongside the biblical Joseph. The cenotaph inside is a replacement: the 1868 room contains no masonry older than that rebuilding.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,232 contributors worldwide.