Located north of Nablus, Jenin is the ancient city of Ginaea mentioned by Josephus and is also identified as the ancient En-gannim. It is where the Samaritans assaulted a caravan of Galileans on their way to Jerusalem, killing a great number of them. Today, Jenin is a picturesque town built on the slopes of a hill and surrounded with gardens of carob, fig, and palm trees. It is a distinguished agricultural town, producing an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
Burqin
The village of Burqin is located 3 km west of Jenin. Besides Muslims, there are Greek Orthodox and Latin Catholics in the village. Near the Orthodox Church are interesting ruins of a Byzantine Church and the cave where the lepers lived.The church lies on a hill overlooking Burqin valley and is still used by the Greek Orthodox community of the village. Tradition suggests that on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus (pbuh) passed by the village and miraculously healed the lepers there. The delightful small church has been restored several times through the centuries. The first church was in the cave where the miracle took place, while during the 6th-9th century it was extended in front of the cave.It was then rebuilt during the 12th century and enclosed by a wall. The present church is composed of the cave and the new hall and nave built during the 18th century.
Zababdeh
Located 6 km south of Burqin, Zababdeh is built over the site of a Byzantine village. A beautiful mosaic of a 6th century church can be found at the convent of the Rosary Sisters, as well as a Roman building, known as Boubariya.
Qalqilya
Situated 12 km from the Mediterranean coast, Qalqilya was once a Canaanite city whose name is derived from a Roman castle known as Qala’alia. This small town has the only zoo in Palestine, which includes an amusement park established in 1986.
Khirbet Belame
Khirbet Belame is located at the southern entrance of Jenin and is the site of the Canaanite City of Ibleam whose residents resisted the tribe of Manasseh. The tunnel was apparently cut during the late Bronze age – early Iron age, and was reused during the Roman Byzantine period. The entrance of the tunnel has a large Roman vault, probably rebuilt during the Crusader period. At its entrance, a large cistern was found that might be identified with Bir Es-Sinjih/Sinjil, a corruption of the Crusader name St. Job. The second part of the tunnel shows evidence of reuse from the medieval period, while the end part yielded mainly early Roman pottery. A large number of lamps were found, mostly in the second part of the tunnel.