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Posted by Travelujah

The picturesque village of Taybeh, located 12 km northeast of Ramallah, is home to around 1500 people, and is the only all-Christian Palestinian community in the Holy Land (*Majority). From its elevated spot, it overlooks the desert wilderness, the Jordan Valley, Jericho, and the Dead Sea. It’s prominent reputation includes its notoriety as the only Palestinian city that has its own beer factory, Taybeh beer. And every year it rises to prominence in early October as it hosts the Holy Land’s only Oktoberfest. This year it is slated for October 6 and 7, 2012.

Biblical Ephraim

The history of Taybeh goes back 5000 years, well before Oktoberfest. The site was first settled by Canaanites. It is mentioned in the Bible (Joshua 18:23) as a town of Benjamin – Ophrah. However later, the place was renamed Ephraim. Jesus Christ with His disciples visted the village after the Sanhedrin decided to execute Him. “Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim…” (John 11:54).

Why the village is called ‘Taybeh’?

 In the late 12^th century Islamic ruler Salaheddin entered the Holy Land. The folk story states that one day the leader was invited by the Christians of Ephraim to their village. The Muslim ruler found village’s people very hospitable and generous and called them “Taybeen” (“good and kind” in Arabic). Since that day Biblical Ephraim took the modern name “Taybeh.”

Four Churches in Taybeh

People of Taybeh belong to three Christian denominations: the Latin (Roman Catholic), the Greek Orthodox and as well the Melkite (Greek Catholic). Each  denomination has its own church in the village: the Roman Catholic Church, dedicated to “The Last Retreat of Jesus”, was inaugurated in l971, the St. George Greek Orthodox Church was rebuilt in l929-1932 and the Melkite Church was built in l964, however the Melkite worship was founded in the village already in 1869.

All the communities celebrate Christmas  according to the Western calendar, on December 25th, and Easter, according to the Eastern calendar.

But there is also a fourth church in the village…

Ruins of a Byzantine church known as ”El Khader” (Saint George) are situated east of town.  Still standing are two chapels, an entrance portico and stairway, parts of a mosaic floor, and its well-preserved baptistery.  The church was rebuilt by the Crusaders during the 12th century.

Famous Taybeh Oktoberfest – Festival of the Village

Taybeh became very famous for its brewery producing the only Palestinian beer named after the village “Taybeh”. The brewers produce four types of beer – Golden, Amber, Dark and Zero (non-alcoholic) and promote the drink as the “The Finest in the Middle East.”

Taybeh Oktoberfest is an annual village festival organized in September/October since 2005. The event aims to promote not only the famous beer, but all the local products produced in the village.

Oktoberfest 2012 will be celebrated on October 6 and October 7 and festivities will include music, dance performances and a wide selection of  local food. The schedule of activities can be found below.

Planning your visit:

How to get there?

If you are driving a car from Jerusalem, take  road number 60 and after 20-25 km of driving you will notice a sign saying “Taybeh”, turn right and follow the signs.  For those taking public transportation, take bus 18 from the Arab Bus station next to the Damascus Gate in Jerusalem to Ramallah and then  you’ll need to  transfer into a shared taxi (service) to Taybeh.

Where to stay in Taybeh:

The village offers couple of options of accomodation:

• Beit Efram Guest House , 16 rooms, call Fr. Aziz (02) 289 8020
• Pilgrim’s Hostel next to Latin Church, call sisters (02) 289 9364
• Pension Al Khader, 6 rooms, (02) 289 9771 or 0599 676 747
• Khouriya Guest House in Jifna (around 20 km away from Taybeh), (02) 281 1485 or 0599587476, E-mail: rkhouriya@yahoo.com
• And there is also coming soon Taybeh Golden Hotel with at least 80 rooms, which will be a theme hotel centred around “The Finest (beer) in the Middle East.” The place is still under construction.

Where to eat in Taybeh:

Recommended restaurants are:

• Taybeh Zamaan Park (Tel: 0599 774 092 or (02) 289 9411)
• Peter’s Place - www.hoshbutros.webs.com. Tel: 054 983 8349  or (02) 289 8054) 

To learnmore about Taybeh check the website of its municpality:  www.taybehmunicipality.org. 

Beata Andonia works for the Bethlehem tourist bureau and blogs regularly about Bethlehem for Travelujah-Holy Land Tours. She is originally from Poland and moved to Bethlehem in 2010.