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Southern Israel — Shivta — A Byzantine City in the Negev

March 31, 2026
The North Church at Shivta.The North Church at Shivta.
A Chapel in the North Church of Shivta.A Chapel in the North Church of Shivta.
Governor's House at Shivta.Governor's House at Shivta.
Byzantine farm using ancient techniques for water supply.Byzantine farm using ancient techniques for water supply.
Winepress at Shivta.Winepress at Shivta.

Shivta (Sobata/Soubeita) is a large Byzantine city in the western Negev of Israel that receives only 3.5 inches of rainfall on average. It is located about 25 miles south-south-west of Beer Sheba. It was founded by the Nabateans (think Petra in Jordan) in the first century AD but reached its peak during the Byzantine era (ca 4th to 6th centuries). It seems to have "died out" in the 8th century.