Octagonal Church Excavated

View looking northeast at the octagonal church after excavation.

The square structure above the center of the image (on the northeast corner of the compound), with the Israeli flag on it, is the tomb (weli) of Abu Ghanem, a Muslim holy man.

Note the observation platform on the east side of the image.

The church was first built by Zeno in A.D. 484, destroyed by the Samaritans, rebuilt by Justinian (527-565), but destroyed by the Muslims in the eighth century A.D.

To viewethe church before excavation Click Here.