DEIR AMMAR AND THE POINTS OF INTEREST
Deir Ammaris a town with almost 3,000 people. It is located 17 km northwest of Ramallah. Together with Beitillu and Jammala, it forms the new town of Al-Ittihad, yet the three villages maintain an administrative autonomy.
Deir Ammar sits on hills extending over Wadi Natuf, with luxuriant vegetation fed by its many springs. The town’s antique origins somehow got abandoned due to the development of a new urban area in the last decades. However, there are recent restorations going on.
The local guide will go along the visitors to make sure they enjoy the culture, spirituality, food, and nature that the town offers.
The Main Points Of Interest
Old and new mosque
Shrine and garden of Prophet Ghaith
Deir Ammar Women Association
Turkish bath with coffee shop
Home stays
Restaurants, street food and takeaway
Natural places: The springs in the valley
OLD TOWN AND SHEIK TAMEH TOMB
The old town of Deir Ammar as built at the top of the hill. At the highest point is a small Ottoman-era tomb known as the shrine of Sheikh Tameh.
Sheikh Tameh was an honoured figure in this part of Palestine. He was a young charitable fellow who made exquisite bread, marching for days and feeding pilgrims on their path to Mecca. There are many stories about his nature and blessed bread that remained soft and warm throughout holy paths.
The old town offers interesting insights about ancient Palestinian houses, now almost in ruins, where the lower rooms were reserved for the animals, while entire families lived and slept in the cramped rooms above. The main attraction, however, is the beautiful sight encompassing the surrounding valleys.
ISLAM IN DEIR AMMAR
The antique mosque of Deir Ammar, in the old town, had first been built in the Roman period as a Christian church and then converted to a mosque. In 1975, it was abandoned, and a new mosque was built in the center of the new village.
During this visit, we suggest for you to meet with the Imam Mohammed Odeh. He is a member of an old family who can explain the history of the village and share valuable insight about the present reality of the Palestinian people.
? Contact the Imam Mohammed Odeh +970 597 462149
SHRINE AND GARDEN OF PROPHET GHAITH
From the village, there are two paths leading to a hill (550 meters), adjacent to the Deir Ammar downtown, with the shrine of the prophet Gaith on top. The site dates back to Roman period and it was recently restored (thanks to “Palestine: Tales of Hospitality”). There are natural caves, cisterns and some remains of carved stone burial sites from the Byzantine period. The shrine of Sheikh Gaith is traceable to the early Ottoman period. It was presumed to be a military camp, as there is also a rectangular building (8x17 m) and a column-base next to it.
NATURAL PLACES: THE SPRINGS IN THE VALLEY
One of the most interesting activities in Deir Ammar (where your local guide will lead you), is the path along the spring and wells. You will find traces of the Roman period encompassing the town on the bottom of the valley. You will walk through Nabat Ain Samhan (between the villages of Ras Karkar and Deir Ammar), Nabi Tawfiq Mustafa, Nabih Halim, Abu Musa, Abu Aliq, Ain al-Balad, Ain al-Tineh (at the end of a rock tunnel), Ain Ghazaliat, andAin al-Shakhariq. The trail can cross the abandoned village of Nabi Anir, where you can find the ruins of a Byzantine church, and the natural spring at Ein Ayoub.
Take your time during the walk, and make sure you have tea with Ramadan Abu Kamesh, a farmer who cultivates fields of green pumpkins and olives. A talk with him will clarify the situation of the rural villages in Palestine and shed light on the issues of the settlements around Deir Ammar.
TURKISH BATH WITH COFFEE SHOP
There is a modern Turkish bath in downtown Deir Ammar. It offers relaxation and refreshment for men and women in different days of the week.
DEIR AMMAR WOMEN ASSOCIATION
The Deir Ammar Women Association, with its President Sahar Sobhi, provides high level catering for local events and for visitors. Their strong dishes include Maqlubeh and Mahshi lifet. They also provide pastries like baklava and knafeh, and they can teach the visitors how to prepare these items.
The Women Association also provides handicrafts in nearby fairs and celebrations.
? Deir Ammar Women Association is located downtown.
? Contact Sahar Sobhi +970597882513
? Email: saharsubhesubhe@gmail.com
