Catholic monastery built in 1922 on an original building from the 6th century. According to tradition, this is the place where Saint John the Baptist, born in Ein Karem, used to retire to solitude to pray, before going to the Judean desert. The Monastery is held nowadays by the Franciscan Custodia.
Near the monastery there is a grotto with a spring, the Ein El Habis spring. In this cave, according to tradition, Elizabeth hid baby John when King Herod decreed the slaughter of innocent children.
- Address
Even Sapir, Israel
- Web
https://www.custodia.org/en/monasteries/ain-karem-desert-saint-john - Visiting Hours
Everyday from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 13:30 to 17:00 - What to see
Monastery, spring and grotto
