Nabi Samwil, Israel Tourism

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runs northwest through the Mahanayim and Sanhedriya districts. In 1948, during the Arab-Israeli war, Nabi Samwil was an Arab base. Since 1967 Jews as well as Arabs have been able to visit it.

The 885m/2,904ft high hill near the village was known to the Crusaders in the 12th century as Mons Gaudii (Mount of Joy), since from here they could get their first glimpse of Jerusalem. They built a church - successor to an earlier church erected by Justinian in the sixth century - which was later converted by the Muslims into the present massive mosque, prominently situated on the hill. In the mosque is the cenotaph of Samuel, who lived in nearby Zuph and according to tradition is buried here. The tomb, like the tombs of the patriarchs in Hebron, is in a cave under the mosque. From the roof of the mosque there are wide views.