SANUR AND THE POINTS OF INTEREST
SANURis a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants. It is located 26 km southwest of Jenin and stands on a hill, overlooking the olive groves and the fields of the Arraba plain.
The Main Points Of Interest
The mosque
Women organization
Wild Ali guest house
Haddad Tourism Village
Shopping point of spices and sweets
The mountains in front of the village and a suggested hiking.
JARRAR CASTLE
THE BEGINNINGS OF THE FAMILY
The castle of Sanur was built in 1785 by Youssef Al-Jarrar to consolidate the strength achieved by the family. The clan had moved in 1670 to Jenin territory from the al-Balqa region in the east bank of the Jordan river, to avoid the belligerent anarchy created there by the tribal wars.
The people were essentially farmers and warriors, divided as clans in different zones and branches. The Ottoman occupiers had granted them the area, including Sanur – one of the 24 “throne villages” which had been ruled out of the territory for the purposes of taxes and enforcing the Ottoman law during the 18 th and 19 th centuries.
Building the formidable fortress at Sanur was due to the need to control the territory and ensure an effective logistic defense. This was beyond the effect of the psychological impact on paysans and friends against potential enemies. A last branch moved to the port city of Haifa and started an export company. They took up their headquarters in Jaba’ (near Jenin) and started to build up their financial power mainly on agriculture, supported by a strong peasant militia.
JARRAR CASTLE
THE EVOLUTION OF THE POWER
The castle symbolizes the rise of Jarrar family’s influence. The family would become one of the most powerful families in Palestine. However, it also represents their decline after 1825, when the Ottoman governor of Acre, Abdul Pasha bin Ali bombed the castle. It was later partially rebuilt.
During that period, there were several strong and well-organized families. Besides the Jarrars, there was also the Tuqan family in Nablus; Nimr in Jenin; Abd al-Hadi in Arraba; Zahir Al-Umar in Nazareth; and Qasim in Jamma’in. The families’ sense of independency, rivalry, and defensiveness over boundaries all had a role in preventing the unification of Palestine. The many insurrections failed in the face of the economic and military powers. Even the efforts of the Jarrar and Tuqan clans against the governor of Acre, Abdul Pasha bin Ali, after initial success, was hardly defeated.
Later, from the middle of the 19th century, the families lost even most of their economic power when the commerce and the financial flow started to follow new routes from/to Europe, Northern Africa, and the Far East. Industries, commerce and banks replaced the agriculture as sources of money and the Jarrar family could hardly shift to the new economy founded on commerce. The real power moved from the villages to the main cities: Nablus, Jerusalem, Hebron, and Jericho.
Location: On top of Castle Street. Partially reserved to the private owners.
THE OLD AND NEW MOSQUE
The old mosque was built around the end of the 7th century, when Islam started to make the first proselytes in Palestine. It was restored many times and rebuilt in 1114 AD. In the middle of the last century, a new larger mosque was built near the old one to make room for the increased number of believers.
Location: Mosque Street. Open approximately from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
TRADITIONAL HOUSE OF BASSIMA ABU ALI
TRADITIONAL HOUSE
Just in front of the mosque, it is possible to see a small door surrounded by a decorated wall. This unexpected door invites you to enter into the courtyard of a traditional ancient Palestinian house. This is the house of Bassima Abu Ali, who restored the house while conserving its tradition.
From this location at Mosque Street, one can take a close look at the traditional house that was preserved across the centuries. In addition, visitors at this spot can get a good idea about the ways Palestinians lived in the 19 th century – both at home and also within their community.
Bassima will also be glad to explain the traditional process used by her grandmother to produce clothes, embroideries, cushions, necklaces, and ornaments.
SANUR WOMEN ASSOCIATION
The Sanur Women Association was founded in 2000. The association is made up of 17 active members who provide embroidery and cooking for the community and visitors.
The members of the association prepare traditional meals and give cooking lessons to those interested. Some of these delicious dishes include kubbeh, maftoul, and maqluba. After the lessons, the women and visitors enjoy the blessing of sharing and eat the prepared food together.
Address: The Women Organization seat is in the south street, 1 km after the roundabout on the main street. Mobile (of the president Wild Ali Fihmih) +972 568 727578
WILD ALI GUEST HOUSE
The guest house is modern and well kept. It has three rooms with 4, 2, 3 beds, 2 bathrooms, and 1 shower. It is possible to add extra beds to the total of 9 beds.
Address: The guest house is run by Rabee Wild Ali, a tour guide of Sanur. The guest house is on the main road, 500 meters from the roundabout. It is always open. For booking: Mobile: +970 599105560 (Rabee Wild Ali). Email: rabee.wildali@gmail.com
BOSTYEK AL-MORJON
SHOPPING POINT
The shop, in downtown Sanur, sells different local spices and products including honey, black nigella, red and brown lentils, sesame, chickpeas, za’tar (thyme), and sweets.
Address: Downtown Sanur, near Obada Mosque. Open 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. Closed on Fridays.
Mobile: +972 599399268.
STREET FOOD AND TAKEAWAY
SHOPPING POINT
Along the main street and its roundabout, you can find good street food for takeaways. There are also a number of bakeries and small restaurants for dining. Most of them are open also in the morning.
HIKING FROM SANUR
On the top of the Castle, you will find three mounts facing the village: Heirish Tal (764 m), Aby Jazid Tal (724 m), and Ilan tal (588 m). The nearest is 4 km from Sanur. After the approach to the feet of the mountains, the top of Heirish Tal can be reached with an easy slope of 2 hours on a well-marked path.
Once you get to the top, a splendid landscape at 360° can be admired. Going along the watershed towards Aby Jazid Tal, you can reach a new summit which takes about half an hour. The walk itself will make you feel grounded between the earth and sky. It takes another half hour to reach Ilan Tal.
HADDAD TOURISM VILLAGE
The village was inaugurated in 2005 and is set in the woods with fresh air and fascinating landscapes. The village occupies 11 acres and offers several services. There are indoor swimming pools for children and adults, 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.
The resort has 90 rooms and a capacity to host more than 300 persons.
Address: 3 km south east of Jenin city on the road Jenin-Sanur. Always open.
Mobile: +972 42417010/1/2.
Email: info@haddad-resort.com
Website: http://www.haddad-resort.com
