Cremisan, Salesian monastery in Beit Jala, Israel
Cremisan is a Salesian monastery in Beit Jala, set on a hillside west of Bethlehem, with school buildings, chapels, and a winery on the grounds. The buildings are made of local stone, with thick walls, arched ceilings, and religious ornaments inside.
The site was already a place of worship in the Byzantine period, in the 7th century, before the Salesians built the current monastery in 1885. The religious community has been living and working here without interruption ever since.
The monastery is a gathering point for the Christian community of Beit Jala, where religious life and school life run side by side. Visitors can walk through the grounds and enter the chapels, which are still used for regular prayer.
Access can be affected by the separation barrier, so it is worth checking current conditions before you go. Visitors coming from Bethlehem or Beit Jala should look into the best route in advance.
The Cremisan winery is one of the oldest in the region, and the wine produced there is still made and sold by the monks today. The wine carries the monastery's name and can be found in some shops in the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
