Ancient Palestinian monastery under UNESCO consideration

RAMALLAH, West Bank — At the foot of a mountain in Bethlehem's Kidron Valley lies the Holy Lavra of Saint Sabbas the Sanctified, also known as Mar Saba Monastery, the most famous monastery in Palestine. Built 1,500 years ago by Mar Saba and 5,000 other monks, it has recently been nominated for inclusion in UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

Mar Saba Monastery is one of 13 Palestinian sites included on UNESCO's tentative lists. Three Palestinian sites have already been classified among UNESCO's World Heritage Sites, following the admission of Palestine to UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2011. These three sites are Battir's terraced landscape, which joined the list in 2014, and the Church of the Nativity and the pilgrimage route in Bethlehem, included in 2012. Mar Saba Monastery awaits registration, along with several other sites like the ancient cities of Hebron, Nablus, Jericho, Mount Gerizim in Nablus, the Qumran caves and Tell Umm Amer.

The official in charge of the World Heritage list at the Ministry of Tourism and Archeology, Ahmad al-Rajoub, told Al-Monitor, "Mar Saba Monastery has a cultural, religious and humanitarian value that qualifies it for inclusion on the World Heritage Site list, as it is one of the oldest monasteries in Palestine and is linked to Saint Sabbas, who established the monastic order in Palestine, which still maintains many of its ancient traditions after 1,500 years. This is in addition to its specific architectural style, which lies in harmony with its surrounding Kidron Valley."

Rajoub added, "The Palestinian National Commission [for Education, Culture and Science — PNCECS] included the monastery on UNESCO's tentative list. This a necessary step that precedes its registration on the World Heritage Site list." He explained, however, that the decision to submit the monastery for consideration has not yet been made.