Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel

Visit duration: 2 hours Editorial visit time estimate

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Ein Karem

Ein Karem is a former village south-west of Jerusalem, today a neighbourhood on the outskirts of the modern city. Its name means "Spring of the Vineyard" in both Hebrew and Arabic. Christian tradition holds that John the Baptist was born here, which led to many churches and monasteries being founded in the area. Today it is a lively, bohemian neighbourhood that has kept its old houses and natural setting; it draws three million visitors a year, a third of them pilgrims, and is also known for its art, food and music scenes.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source

What's inside

The Monastery of St John in the Mountains is centred on a church containing the cave that tradition identifies as the birthplace of John the Baptist. Across the village to the south-west, the Church of the Visitation was built in 1955 to a design by Antonio Barluzzi on the remains of ancient churches. Mary's Spring is where, by a tradition dating from the 14th century, the Virgin Mary drank and met Elizabeth. The Gorny Convent, founded by the Russian Orthodox mission in 1871, holds three churches within its walls.

Checked 2026-11-10 · Source