Deir Al Arba'een, Ancient religious building in Hebron, Palestine
Deir Al Arba'een is a historic structure in Hebron featuring a single chapel cell with a semi-circular apse enclosed within a quadrangular perimeter wall. Inside, vaulted rooms display both groined and tunnel vaults topped with pointed arches typical of medieval construction.
The site was documented around 1495 by Mujir al-Din in his History of Jerusalem and Hebron as a pilgrimage destination for Muslim visitors. Its continuous use over centuries indicates the building adapted to serve the religious needs of successive communities.
The building has served as a place of worship for different communities over time, first as a church dedicated to Christian saints and later as a mosque. This layering of faiths shows how sacred spaces evolved with the region's changing populations.
The ruins stand about 300 meters west of Hebron's Old City and are readily accessible for visitors exploring the archaeological remains of the area. Plan your visit as part of a broader tour of the region's historical sites to make the most of the experience.
The building originated as a church dedicated to forty Christian martyrs, a connection reflected in its Arabic name that persists today. This christian foundation is evident in the architectural style, even though the structure later served different religious purposes.
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