History

Beit Sahour holds immense significance in Christian history and biblical narratives. It gained prominence as the place where the shepherds received the news of Jesus Christ’s birth, elevating its status as a pivotal site for tourism, both in terms of religious pilgrimage and cultural exploration. The city’s name, “Beit Sahour,” meaning “the house of vigilance,” is believed to derive from ancient Canaanite words, reflecting the importance of shepherding in the region’s past.

Dating back to the Bronze Age around 3000 BC, Beit Sahour has a rich historical heritage, with evidence of Canaanite occupation found in its numerous caves. Traces of human habitation have been discovered dating back to Roman times, with remnants of ancient oil presses indicating settlement during the time of Jesus’s birth in nearby Bethlehem. The city abounds with historical and biblical sites, including ruins from the Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader periods scattered throughout the area.

The bi-millennium celebrations generated a great deal of interest in the restoration of the cultural heritage in Beit Sahour. The preservation and expansion of the Old Centre would contribute enormously to the development of the tourism sector.