Location
The city of Jenin is located 41 km from Nablus and overlooks the Marj Ibn Amer plain. A large part of its buildings stands on “Tell Az-Zidīn,” situated east of the city. Due to its abundant water resources, Jenin is known for its gardens and orchards. Its ancient name, “Janīm,” is believed to mean “gardens.” The city sits at an elevation of 125-250 meters above sea level and is at the southern tip of the Marj Ibn Amer triangle. It serves as a key transportation junction connecting routes from Nablus, Afula, Baysan, Hifa, and Nazareth.
Jenin is believed to be built on the site of the ancient Canaanite city “Ain Janim,” meaning “Eye of the Gardens.” In the Roman era, the area was called “Gina,” and in the Byzantine era, a church was built on the site, remnants of which are still found today near the Great Jenin Mosque. During the 7th century, Arab Muslims conquered the area from the Byzantines, and the name “Jenin” derived from the Arabic word for “gardens.”
Historical Significance
Jenin has a long history dating back to the Canaanites. It was conquered multiple times throughout history, by the Romans, Byzantines, Crusaders, and eventually the Muslims. During the Crusader period, it was fortified, but after the Battle of Hattin in 1187, it was retaken by Muslims under Salah ad-Din.
During the Mamluk era, Jenin saw significant architectural development, including the building of a caravanserai and the Great Mosque by Fāṭimah Khātūn, the daughter of a Mamluk sultan. The Crusaders briefly controlled it in the 12th century, before being expelled by Salah ad-Din’s forces.
Ottoman and Modern Periods
Jenin became part of the Ottoman Empire in 1516 and later came under Egyptian control in the 19th century. The city also endured the French invasion under Napoleon, which it was temporarily burned in retaliation for supporting the Ottomans. Under British Mandate rule, Jenin became a center of resistance, notably led by figures like Izz ad-Din al-Qassam.
After the British left in 1948, Jenin was briefly controlled by Palestinian and Iraqi forces during the Arab-Israeli conflict, regaining several villages. It became part of the West Bank under Israeli control in 1967, until the Palestinian Authority took over in 1995.
Agriculture
Jenin is known for its agricultural richness, especially olive cultivation. It is one of the top olive-growing regions in Palestine, with villages like Qabatiya and Yabad producing some of the best olive oil in the northern West Bank.
Population and Economic Activities of Jenin
Population Development
The population growth between 1922 and 1931 was slow due to migration to coastal cities. The population size in 1922 was 2,627, compared to 2,774 in 1931. A significant population growth occurred between 1947 and 1952, as many people returned to Jenin due to the influx of refugees post-1948 War. It grew from 4,500 to 12,663, respectively, before it declined sharply to 8,344 due to the mass exodus to Jordan and Gulf countries after the 1967 war. By 1997, Population growth resumed as people returned, reaching 26,650 in 1997.
Economic Activities
- Agriculture
Agriculture was the main economic activity, with crops such as olive trees, citrus fruits, vegetables, and grains. However, agricultural production declined after Israel took control of the land in 1967. The amount of crop production in the region dropped from 16,300 tons in 1940 to lower figures in subsequent years. Animal husbandry, particularly goat farming, also decreased as agriculture grew and the size of grazing lands diminished. - Industry
Jenin does not have a significant industrial base but includes small-scale industries and handicrafts, such as tailoring, blacksmithing, olive oil presses, flour mills, and the construction of stone quarries. Additionally, industries like tile-making, footwear, and woodworking are also present.
Cultural Activities
- Education
The education system in Jenin dates back to the 19th century, with early religious schools known as “Kuttabs.” In the late 19th century, the first elementary school was founded, and in 1943, a high school was established. After the 1948 war, Jenin had only two schools—one for boys and another for girls. Under Israeli rule, the number of schools increased significantly, along with student enrollment.
Historical and Tourist Sites
- The Church of Burqin
This church, dedicated to Saint George, is part of the Greek Orthodox Church. Its first part was built over 2,000 years ago, and the second part was constructed around 1,500 years ago during the reign of Emperor Constantine and his mother, Helena.
The Church of Burqin holds great significance as the fifth-holiest site in the world for Christians and the fourth-oldest church globally, after the Church of the Nativity, the Annunciation, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It is mentioned in the Bible and in the book “Miracles of Jesus Christ” on pages 2002 and 2003. The church is associated with an event where Jesus Christ healed ten lepers in its cave while traveling from Nazareth towards Jerusalem. According to the Gospel of Luke, the story is narrated in detail, describing how none of the ten lepers thanked Jesus except for the Samaritan.
Structure and Layout
The church, which covers an area of approximately 800 square meters, is divided into three main sections, along with an open courtyard, garden, a newly built area for children’s education, and a room for the priest.
- The First Section (The Cave)
This is the most important part of the church, a cave carved into the rock, with an area of about 20 square meters. Above it is a round window, which historical accounts say was used to lower food to the ten lepers who were living in the cave. - The Second Section (The Church Hall)
This section was built approximately 1,500 years ago. Inside, there is a bishop’s chair carved from stone in the shape of two lion heads, where the priest sits during religious sermons. The altar is located beside it, and the hall is separated by barriers with twelve small windows at the top, symbolizing the twelve apostles of Jesus. This section is reserved exclusively for priests, and it is forbidden for women, including female visitors, to enter. The floor is only cleaned by men, and the church’s exterior stones bear ancient inscriptions, though they are gradually fading due to weathering.
The Third Section
The third section of the church is an open cave located in the eastern corner, which was once used as a school for teaching children. Above the cave is an arch. The old walls of this section are ancient, with a construction date that traces back approximately 1,500 years. The current bell and the round window have remained unchanged since before 1948.
The Great Mosque
The Great Mosque is a historical landmark built by Fatima Khatun, the daughter of Muhammad Bey, the son of Sultan Al-Malik Al-Ashraf Qansuh Al-Ghuri. It is located in the center of the city.
The Small Mosque
The Small Mosque has no known historical record. It is believed by some to have been a guesthouse for Prince Al-Harithi, while others attribute it to Ibrahim Al-Jazzar, the famous Ottoman ruler of Acre.
Khirbat Abeh
Located on the eastern side of the city, in the lands of Suheila, Khirbat Abeh contains the ruins of a village that was destroyed, along with rock-hewn water cisterns and a tomb carved into the rock, containing several oil lamps.
Khirbat Khorouba
Situated on a hill about two kilometers north of Jenin, Khirbat Khorouba features the remains of a tower with a leaning base, along with foundations, walls, cisterns, caves, and tombs.
Tel Taanak
Tel Taanak is an archaeological site that was a Canaanite city, later inhabited during the Arab and Islamic periods. The site lies on the northwestern edge of the modern-day village of Taanak, about 8 kilometers northwest of Jenin in the northern West Bank of Palestine.
Balama Tunnel
The Balama Tunnel is a water tunnel carved into the rock, considered one of the most impressive water tunnels discovered in Palestine. It served as a secure passage for the inhabitants of the ancient city of Balama to reach the water spring at the foot of Khirbat Balama, known as the site of “Abeliam.” This site is mentioned in the Egyptian royal archives dating back to the 15th century BC, and the archaeological site was uncovered in 1996-1997.
Tel Al-Hafira (Tel Dothan)
Tel Dothan is located to the south of Jenin, about six kilometers away, near the plain of Araba on its eastern side, beside Bir Al-Hafira. The site is surrounded by almond and orange trees, and at the southern foot of the mound, there is a spring that serves as the only available water source.
Historically, Tel Dothan is associated with the biblical story of Prophet Joseph and his brothers, where it is believed that Joseph was thrown into a pit (the well). The earliest settlement in the area dates back to the Chalcolithic period (Copper Age), with numerous pottery fragments from the Stone and Late Copper Ages discovered at the site. The site has been rebuilt several times during the Iron Age and Hellenistic period, and it was known as Dothan. During these times, a small settlement was established at the top of the mound.
Archaeological excavations have partially uncovered a large structure at the summit, which consists of about six courtyards and approximately 150 rooms. In the present day, a traditional Palestinian village has been built on the western edge of the archaeological site.
Source: Wafa Agency and Palestine Remembrance