Nested in the Judean Hills, a few minutes away from Jerusalem, is the picturesque village of Ein Karem (the Spring of Vine).

Ein Karem is usually compared to the beautiful villages of Tuscany (Italy) Provence (south of France), with its wading lanes and the flowers, vines and olive trees.

Ein Karem is well known for its multiple convents and churches built in the village along the centuries, like the monastery of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion, our neighbours.



The church of Saint-John ba-Harim (St Jean du désert), a franciscan convent, was built in honor of Yohanan haMatbil (Jean-Baptiste). Myriam (Marie) according to the tradition, came from Nazareth to visit her cousin Elishevah (Elisabeth) near the spring, called today the"Virgin's Spring" and announced there the happy event.



The famous Visitation church, occupies the place where used to be the house of Zacharia (Zacharie), Elishevah's husband and Yohanan's father.







Israeli tourists and pilgrims consider Ein Karem as one the nicest place around Jerusalem. On Fridays and Shabbats, the restaurants of Ein Karem are full. There are also painters and other craftesmen's galleries and workshops to discover along the shady streets of the Ein Karem.

This village full of charm, said to be old 8000 years, is eager to preserve its original architecture and nature.

About 450 families live in Ein Karem today, most of them immigrants from Yemen and Marocco who arrived in 1949. The residents of today restaure the old houses trying to preserve the original architectural sytle.

Map of Ein Karem

Click on the map to enlarge it