Hittin

Hattin was a depopulated Palestinian village once situated at the foot of Mount Hittin, known as the Horns of Hattin because of its distinctive twin peaks. The settlement had about 190 stone houses arranged on flat terrain with fig and olive trees, and was fed by springs that supported farming and gardens.

Hattin was built over an older settlement dating to ancient times, possibly on the site of a Canaanite town, and later became known as Kfar Hittaya during the Roman period. The village gained wider historical significance through the 1187 battle where Saladin defeated Crusader forces, reshaping control of the region.

The shrine of Prophet Shuayb on the hillside remains a sacred place where Druze and Muslim pilgrims gather each year to pray and pay respects. This site shows how the area held religious meaning across different communities for many centuries.

The village site is today overgrown with grass and trees, with the mosque minaret remaining but deteriorating, while streams flow nearby. Visitors should expect uneven ground and can explore the scattered remains and springs throughout the area.

The village remained a stable farming community from 1596 to 1948, with documented crop records showing wheat, barley, and honey production, but was abandoned in just a few days during the 1948 war. This rapid loss distinguishes its story from the longer conflicts that affected many other villages in the region.

GPS coordinates: 32.80758,35.45382

Latest update: January 6, 2026 08:58