Last weekend we were invited to join a group of others from the Bible College to hike northwest of Bethlehem through the Wadi Qilt to the Monastery of St. George. Following that we would go to nearby Jericho and visit the Palace of Hisham, a Caliph of the region from 724-743 AD.
Mercy, Andrew, Karen, Alsessandra, Bruce, Doris and Terry.
The monastery in the distance was our stunning destination situated in the rocks above the canyon.
The descent into the canyon followed the path of an old Roman aquaduct, until the monastery was fully before us.
Taking pictures inside the monastery wasn’t allowed, so these were as far we could go.
The climb to the “loft bedroom” was a little treacherous!
The black dots across the canyon were a herd of grazing goats being led by a shepherd on a donkey!
Saying good bye to one last view of the monastery, we headed back up the canyon wall and to our car to go to Jericho for our next destination, Hisham’s Palace.
THE WINTER PALACE OF CALIPH HISHAM.
Excavations began at this site from 1935-1948 and uncovered a marvelous gem of architecture and mosaic flooring that were preserved for 1300 years. The original buildings contained a palace, and audience hall with thermal bath, a mosque, a monumental fountain, 2 main gates, and an elite residence.
Bethlehem Trails 
2 responses to “A HIKE THROUGH A WADI, TO A MONASTERY, AND A PALACE”
Climbing out of that canyon looks like it must have been quite a trek. With all your walking and hiking, by the time you come home you’ll be buffer than in your 50’s.
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Ha ha, Sandy! We are doing a lot of walking and hiking here, but I’m not sure about the “buffness” that will come out of this for us. I’m still huffing and puffing quite a bit! It’s all good though!
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