In the 5th century, a Byzantine church was built there, which was destroyed by the Persians in 614 AD. A Catholic Church was built in 1924 over the remainings of the precedent Byzantine church, on the top of Tel- Kiryat Yearim, the hill where according to tradition stood the house of Abinadab where the Ark of the Covenant rested for twenty years, until King David took it to Jerusalem.
The modern church is recognizable by the statue of Mary carrying the baby Jesus in her arms on the roof. It overlaps with the remains of the historic Byzantine building, while incorporating authentic mosaic sections on the church floor and integrating ancient finds into the new building.
- Address
Notre Dame St, Abu Ghosh, Israel
- Web
None - Visiting Hours
Monday to Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30 and from 14:30 to 17:00 p.m. - What to see
Remains of the precedent Byzantine church
Photo Credit: Way To Jerusalem