HEBRON 

Al-Khalil, as Hebron is called in Arabic, means "The Friend of God". In ancient times it was known as Mamre and Kirjath Arba, "The town of four" because of its position on four hills. Situated at an altitude of  3,000 feet, Hebron has been continuously settled for at least 5,000 years. It is regarded as holy by Muslims, Jews and Christians alike because the Patriarch Abraham is buried there.  Al-Haram al-Ibrahimi Al-Haram al Ibrahimi al Khalil ( The Sanctuary of Ibraham, the friend)  is a massive mosque built on the traditional site of the Caves of  EL-ANBIA with a 20 metre high wall. The lower part dates from the time of Herod while the main part was formerly a Crusader Church which was an enlargement of the original Byzantine basilica used by Christian pilgrims en route to Abraham’s Oak at Mamre. The upper part and four minarets (of which two remain) were added by the Mameluks. As the place of David’s anointment and the burial of  PROPHETS, the sanctuary is regarded as holy by Muslims, Christians and Jews. Opening Hours: Mon - Sun 8:00 - 15:00 except Fri Old Town Of Hebron The ancient and traditional town of Hebron is considered to be one of the oldest towns in Palestine, and indeed has some claim to being among the oldest continuously inhabited places anywhere. The souq (market) with its arched roofs and maze of alleys is worth exploring. The shops and stalls sell everything from pottery, olivewood and glass to fresh and dried fruits. The grapes produced here are converted into jam and a kind of molasses and the traditional crafts of glass and pottery making and tanning have been adapted to small scale factory production. Oak Of Abraham An oak tree 2km west of Hebron marks the legendary site where Abraham pitched his tent. Until recently, visiting pilgrims used to remove pieces of the trunk for good luck but now the Russian Orthodox Church ( owners of the site and the monastery nearby) wrap the trunk with steel braces for protection. Halhoul Halhoul sits on a hill to the left of the road, less than 5 km from Hebron. The beauty of the countryside testifies to the fertility and productivity of the soil here; abundant vineyards dot the area, producing the delicious and distinctive-tasting grapes for which Hebron is famous. Just outside the village is the mosque of Nabi Yunus which, according to Muslim tradition, is built over the grave of the prophet Jonah. Archeological Museum Located next to Hamam Abuna Ibrahim in the old town of Hebron, the museum contains a small collection of archeological findings from the Canaanite to the Islamic periods. Hebron Today  Modern Hebron is the chief town of the southern half of the West Bank, with a population of around 40,000 and a souq, the commercial center for traders from fifty or so surrounding villages. It is also the largest industrial center in the West Bank. The grapes produced in Hebron are converted into jam and a kind of molasses; dozens of quarries export stone and marble to Arab countries and sell to the building trade in Israel and the West Bank; and the traditional crafts of glass, pottery-making and tanning have been adapted to factory production. There are also a lot of plastics, leather, furniture, and shoe-making workshops.   Dhahriyyeh  Named after the thirteenth century Sultan ad-Dhaher Baybars, the leader who finally drove the Crusaders out of Palestine. The Wednesday morning livestock market here is still a genuinely functional part of the economic lives of local villagers and a fascinating slice of traditional life.