BURQIN AND THE POINTS OF INTEREST
Burqin is a town of 7,000 inhabitants, located on a hill, a real lookout over the olive groves and the fields of the Arraba plain.
The village can be visited in 2 hours, but we suggest that you add extra time to make sure you get the most of experience and connect with the community. The local guide will introduce the visitors to the community and share a wide scenery linked to the main points of interest.
The Main Points of Interest
St. George Church – One of the oldest churches in the world
Old Mosque and meeting with the Imam
Women association for producing za’atar, yoghurt, and jam
Taste the food specialties at Remah Abbas’s homestay
AL-SAYEGH HOMESTAY
GHADEER HOMESTAY
Experience the olive production cycle and shopping at the Canaan Fair Trade
HADDAD TOURISM VILLAGE
JARRAR PALACE
The historic Jarrar Palace, recently restored, was built in the 18th century by the Jarrar family who had come from the east bank and became one of the most powerful clans of Palestine.
While the family were in Sanur, a formidable castle was built in the same period. However, one of the Jarrars married a Turkish woman and, to avoid quarrels or complaints because of her Ottoman conquerors’ origins, he decided to move to Burqin and build the palace – used more as a residence than a defense castle.
It was not clear why there were two chairs placed in front of the doors, but it gave Burqin the name of the “chair village.” Near the main gate of the palace, like in many other important buildings, a small door called khoka is opened. The name khoka comes from the Ottoman era and identifies a small door normally used to enter in the palace, whereas the main gate was opened for entering big animals (horses or camels) and important persons. The elegant palace, open to public, has six rooms on the ground floor, surrounding a nice courtyard and one on the roof. All were used by the Village Council for meetings and public events. It deserves a visit.
Location: Jarrar Palace is in Saleh Jarrar St. The admission is ruled out by the Municipality.
SAINT GEORGE CHURCH
CULTURE AND ITS HISTORY
Saint George is a Greek Orthodox church, built during the 6 th —9 th centuries and renewed after the 12th century. This church is considered to be the fourth oldest church in the world.
Located north-east of Burqin, the church was built in Byzantine-Roman style and maintained throughout the many restorations in the 12th and 18th centuries.
This visit will take you to the old past when lepers lived isolated in the cave under the garden while people lowered down the meals through the well’s opening. Appreciate the enchanting construction completely made of stones, and enjoy the iconostasis, old holy vessels, furniture, and paintings. The overall atmosphere is of peaceful devotion permeating the quiet garden, the cellar underground, and the interior of the church.
An Orthodox priest now manages the church and follows up with the Greek Orthodox Christian community living in Burqin and the surrounding area.
This beautiful church is built over the cave in which Jesus Christ performed the miracle of the ten lepers. It is here where Jesus was approached by the ten lepers of the Gospels and fulfilled their prayers to be healed. Yet later nobody but a Samaritan (a heretic according to the Hebraic Orthodoxy) came back and thanked Him.
Address: The church is in al-Kaneesah St. along the road from which the centre of Burqin goes to Jenin.
THE GREAT MOSQUE
CULTURE AND HISTORY
The old mosque, established by the Jarrar family in 1878, is visible at the side of the new mosque (built to encompass the growing number of believers).
Now a precious monument, the mosque preserves antique books representing the most important sacred library of Palestine. The building served as a madrasa where boys and girls together used to study the Quran and learn the Arabic language and mathematics, well before the first mixed school was established in Palestine in 1922.
We strongly suggest a visit to the mosque and a meeting (upon prior notice) with the Imam. It will be rewarding to learn about the local community, the evolution of religiousness, relations with the Christian community, and trends of Islam in Palestine and in the village.
Location: Adjacent to Jarrar Palace.
THE SHEIKH SABI TOMB
AND ITS LOOKOUT
The tomb dates back to the 19th century. The shrine is dedicated to Sheikh Sabi, a Sufi saint who lived and prayed in the surroundings of Burqin. The reputation of the blessed man has and continues to inspire those looking for spiritual as well as material comfort. Many locals still address him and pray for rain in dry seasons.
Legend has it that when Sheikh Sabi died, the people intended to bury him in the village’s graveyard. But those who followed were in for a surprise: They saw the body turning around like a compass, leading them towards another direction. It was not possible to take him anywhere aside from the top of the hill, so this is where they buried him.
Like other shrines scattered on the hills of most villages, this was also used as watchtower: When persons on duty watch detected danger, they lit fires to signal it also to the neighbouring villages. Now, in peace, this site is famous for its panoramic position open to the surrounding territory .
Address: Al Iraq Street. Always open.
BURQIN WOMEN ASSOCIATION
EXPERIENCE AND GASTRONOMY
The Burqin Women Association was founded in 2005 by 30 members who gathered to create projects for women to contribute economically to their families and community. In the following years, the number of participants varied and reached up to 60 due to demand. It is presently led by Omaima Khloof.
The women now an agreement with the Municipality to provide catering, mainly during Ramadan and special occasions. They also have a work contract with the Canaan Fair Trade: Canaan provides them with the tools and ingredients, while they process and pack the products, namely za’atar (thyme) and send them back for the sale by Canaan.
Besides the za’atar, they also make yoghurt and jams. They share lessons of the specialty productions with visitors and are also pleased to cook some of the main Palestinian dishes.
Location: Downtown, near the health centre. To meet them, call the President Omaima Khloof. Mobile: +972 599046445. Email omaymakhloof@yahoo.com
HADDAD TOURISM VILLAGE
The Haddad is a modern hotel-village and one of the largest resorts in Palestine, inaugurated in 2005. It offers full board with various facilities, such as Turkish bath, indoor swimming pools for children and adults, a garden park with playing fields, tennis and volleyball courts, a roman-styled theatre, a restaurant that serves various kinds of western and Mediterranean food, a large indoor hall for different occasions, and a Palestinian museum. Parking is available.
Address: The village is 4 miles northeast of Burqin and 2 km southwest of Jenin on the Burqin-Jenin road. Always open. Telephone: +972 42417010/1/2.
Email: info@haddad-resort.com.
Website: http://www.haddad-resort.com/
REMAH ABBAS HOME STAY
HOME STAY
Remah Salih Abbas with her husband Ameed and the support of her six children, mostly young ladies, turned her house in Burqin into a cozy cottage for tourists arriving to visit Palestine and wishing to sleep in the heart of the country side.
Smiling and positive, Remah understands how important it is that tourists find a soft pillow, hot meals and a friendly face away from their home. The family has also has a good experience as a tour guide. Her husband, Ameed owns a commercial bus and drives tourists all around Palestine.
The homestay has 2 rooms, one with 3 single beds + 1, the other with a double bed + 4.
The services are: free wifi, meals with Palestinian specialties which are real examples of gastronomy, lounge area with TV, Private parking.
The home stay is included in the trails:
Centers of Local Culture (CLC's)
Masar Ibrahim Al Khalil
Sufi Trail
Address: The Remah Abbas homestay is placed in Burqin. Always open. Mob +970 599 973 824. Tel +970 4 243 1145 Email remaing.abbas@gmail.com
Website: Remah Homestay
AL-SAYEGH HOMESTAY
HOME STAY
The Al-Sayegh homestay is managed by Usama and his family. It overlooks a large beautiful plain full of vegetables. The house contains 3 rooms for the guests: One room with 6 beds, one room with 5 beds, and one double room.
Services include: Pick-up service, catered meals, and WIFI.
Price: $30 a night, with breakfast and supper.
(This homestay is included in the following trails: Centers of Local Culture (CLCS), Masar Ibrahim
al-Khalil, and the Sufi Trail).
Address: At the entrance of Martyrs Street in Burqin, on the main street. Always open.
Usama al-Sayegh: +970 599 840323
See also: https://masaribrahim.ps/2018/07/24/usama-al-saiegh-homestay/
GHADEER HOMESTAY
HOME STAY
This homestay is open in the house of Ghadeer's mother, Umm Sameh. It is inclusively managed by her family of seven. Along with her daughters, who speak good English, Ghadeer is ready to be a tour guide to her guests. The family is pleased to introduce their guests to the true Palestinian lifestyle and share the diversity and tolerance of their community towards different cultures.
With three large bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and one large living room, the hotel-like house could easily accommodate people traveling alone, couples, or groups of eight or even more. The spacious land surrounding the house is also perfect for parents with children who wish to enjoy some time away from the fast-paced digital world.
Homestay Facilities include: Free WIFI, lounge area with TV, 24hr hot and cold water, and private parking. Pets are allowed. Clean and hygienic neighbourhood. Laundry & dry-cleaning services are available upon request.
(This homestay is included in the following trails: Centers of Local Culture (CLCS), Masar Ibrahim al-Khalil, and the Sufi Trail).
Address: At the heart of Burqin, the homestay of Ghadeer Khlouf is an ivory three-story building surrounded by spacious gardens lavishly planted with olive, lemon and almond trees.
Mobile: +970 599 386866, +970 598152870
Email: larakhlouf599@yahoo.com
See also: http://palstays.ps/profile.php?homestayID=63
https://masaribrahim.ps/portfolio/ghadeer-homestay-burqin/
CANAAN FAIR TRADE EXPERIENCE
HIKING, ACCOMMODATION, GASTRONOMY, AND SHOPPING OF TYPICAL LOCAL PRODUCTS
Canaan Fair Trade is a network founded on preserving the human heritage of nurturing the land to provide a sustainable food source. With more than 1,700 farmers across Palestine, they produce, select, collect, and process high-quality food products that are authentic to the Palestinian culture and environment.
Canaan’s products include organic fair trade olive oil, olives, soap, honey, almonds, maftoul, freekeh, and za’atar. They are committed to increase the value returns of the farms, invest in the communities, and carving a space for them in the local market and abroad.
Upon reservation, visitors can get a tour of the overall process of olive treatment. You can also take part in olive-picking in the fields (from October to December). Canaan also offers accommodation, guides for hiking in the area, and cooking lessons.
Address: The Canaan Fair Trade is located on the Kufor Qud Road, Burqin.
Telephone: +970 4 243 1991/2.
Email: info@canaanpalestine.com
Website: http://www.canaanpalestine.com/en
GASTRONOMY
THE EXPERIENCE OF ZARB
One of the most appreciated dishes of the Arabic kitchen is the zarb, the chicken cooked in a hole. In a private house, after prior notice, the visitors can take part to a demonstration of the cycle of production.
Address: Mr Taher Ateeq, near Burqin high-school for girls, in day and hours agreed with the owner. Mob: +970 569819688 / +970 569441882
RESTAURANTS
THE EXPERIENCE OF ZARB
In Burqin, like in most Palestinian villages, you will find that most restaurants are small and offer fast food for takeaway. But there are also some restaurants (with a separated kitchen) where you can have a more formal and longer dining experience.
One of these restaurants is Noor , run by Nasser and Yasser Sobeh. We suggest you try Zarb, which is a unique specialty.
Address: Downtown Burqin. The dining room is on the first floor.
Hours: Open every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Mobile: +970 599 743 169
STREET AND FAST FOOD
THE EXPERIENCE OF ZARB
Downtown Burquin has several coffee bars, pastry shops, and street and fast food, such as:
To have a gastronomic meal, the right places are the homestays, guesthouses, few restaurants, or the hotels. (Read more about Palestinian food in the “Gastronomy” Section).
