Deir Hajla

A Greek Orthodox monastery and an important pilgrimage site in the Judean Desert, north of the Dead Sea. This isolated place was built in the 5th century CE and it is dedicated to St. Gerasimus, who was known as a miracle worker and was considered the patron of animals. This is a Crusaders structure with crossed-arches and it shows the remains of mosaics and frescos. It also displays the bones and skulls of the local monks and cases in which are exhibited the remains of the monks who were massacred here by the Persians who demolished this place in the 7th century and of the victims of the earthquake which took place here in the 19th century. Also presented here are the many gifts which were brought to this place by pilgrims. One can accompany the monks on a tour of the well-kept yard and the church and even stay in the small guesthouse which the local monks run here.