Bringing Jericho, Israel to life through the Artza Holy Land blog

Embark on a journey and travel to the Holy Land through the lens of the 'Holy Land Artza Blog' series.

Explore the rich history of Jericho, the oldest city in the world Title: Visit the biblical city of Jericho and discover its history and landmarks

In this series, you will be taken on an immersive journey through the Holy Land. Exploring ancient, biblical, and modern stories, magnificent scenery, flavors, traditions, sites, and most importantly of all - we will introduce you to the people that call this place home.

Along the journey, you will meet all of the Israeli artisans and charities that we help support and explore the rich culture, history, and beauty of Israel. And for those of you who want a fully immersive experience of the land where Jesus walked, our Artza subscription box is designed to do just that.

Delivered quarterly, each locally sourced Artza box is packed with gorgeous, handcrafted gifts, foods, local spices, content, stories, scripture, and so much more! Delivered from the Holy Land directly to your home.

Location: Jericho, Israel.

Our journey continues in Jericho, the lowest city in the world, 258m below sea level, situated in the West Bank near the Jordan Valley and close to the Jordan River, Jericho is a place of huge religious and historical significance in both Judaism and Christianity. In the Hebrew Bible, Jericho is known as;

1. "The Oldest City in the World"

2. "City of Palm Trees"

How old is the city of Jericho?

The exact age of the city is difficult to determine, but according to archaeological evidence, Jericho has been inhabited since at least the 8th millennium BCE. Excavations of the ancient tell (mound) at the site of Jericho have revealed multiple layers of occupation, from the Neolithic period to the Ottoman Empire, with evidence of settlement and fortifications from various periods in between.

Why is Jericho known as the "City of Palm Trees"?

Jericho is referred to as the "City of Palm Trees" in the Bible due to its lush vegetation and fertile soil, which were abundant with palm trees and other fruit-bearing plants. The name 'City Of Palm Trees' is likely to reflect the city's reputation as a place of prosperity and abundance and was likely seen as a symbol of the blessings of God.

Top things to do near & in Jericho, Israel.

Mount of Temptation: The Mount of Temptation itself is visually striking, with its steep cliffs and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can visit the Greek Orthodox monastery built into the rock face which is situated at the top of the mountain. The monastery has a unique architectural style and is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

The Archaeological Park: Explore the Archaeological Park, this park contains the remains of the ancient city of Jericho, which date back to the 8th millennium BCE and include the famous Walls of Jericho mentioned in the Bible.

Visit the Sycamore Tree: According to the New Testament, Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree in Jericho in order to see Jesus as he passed by (Luke 19:1-10). The Sycamore Tree in Jericho is considered a special and significant site for its biblical connections.

Elisha's Spring: The Elisha Spring has been a source of fresh water for locals and visitors for centuries, and it is surrounded by lush greenery and scenic views. Additionally, it is believed to be the one that Elisha the prophet purified with salt, according to the Hebrew Bible and is named after the prophet Elisha.



Who is Elisha the prophet?

He was a disciple of the prophet Elijah and is considered one of the greatest prophets in the Jewish tradition. Elisha is said to have performed many miracles during his life, including the healing of leprosy, the resuscitation of a child, and the purification of contaminated water. Elisha is revered by Jews, Christians, and Muslims for his prophetic work, and is considered an important figure in the history of Israel.

Biblical Significance: Jericho is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world with a rich history.

Furthermore, Jericho carries archaeological importance as it is home to many findings from the first development of permanent human settlements along with early civilization dating back 11,000 years (9000 BCE). Jericho holds biblical significance as a city that was conquered by Joshua and the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land, according to the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament.

Distance from Jerusalem: Jericho is approximately 36 kilometres (22 miles) northeast of Jerusalem.

As we come to the close of our eleventh Holy Land Artza Blog which takes you on a journey through Israel with us, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your participation. It has been a privilege to share with you the beauty, culture and traditions of this land that holds such a special place in our hearts thus far, and we are so excited for what is to come!

For those who seek a deeper connection to the Holy Land, our Artza subscription boxes are the next best thing to actually travelling to Israel, it is the best way to bring the Holy Land to your doorstep. Each Artza box is sent to you from a different region in Israel, and it is packed with up to eight stunning hand-crafted gifts, local foods, spices, art, scripture, ceramics and so much more - each carefully chosen from the local artisans and charities of that specific region - with the aim of bringing the Holy Land to life in the most meaningful and immersive way possible. This is your chance to experience the beauty of the Holy Land and to support the people of Israel.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon and providing you with the next Holy Land Artza Blog, and of course, welcome to ISRAEL!