Nablus City
Approximately 63 kilometers north of Jerusalem, Nablus is rich with centuries of history. Located in the beautiful valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, Nablus is a cultural hub for the Palestinian people.
Considered to be one of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in the world, the city contains architecture from Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman times. The Old City of Nablus dates to the Mamluke period and is indicative of traditional Middle Eastern Souks and marketplaces that still exist today. It is replete with specialized quarters for skills and goods. Nablus is also a commercial center for the northern West Bank and Nablusi soap, made from local olive oil and caustic soda, it has been produced in the city for more than 250 years.
Nablus offers students an authentic Palestinian setting in which to learn Arabic. Nablus receives less international traffic than cities such as Ramallah or Jerusalem, allowing the students to better immerse themselves in the local culture and practice their language skills. At the same time, Nablus is one of the largest cities in the West Bank and never lacks in shops, restaurants, or cultural events for the students to engage with and enrich their experience. Students can be witness to the unique blending of the traditions of the past with the rapidly changing and developing modern culture in Nablus. All points of interest in Palestine are of easy access from Nablus, whether they would like to take a dip in the Dead Sea or wander the winding streets of old city of Jerusalem. As the home to the largest university in Palestine, Nablus is defined by An-Najah. The university fosters a youthful atmosphere in the city and students fill its cafés and restaurants. An assortment of NGO's and other international organizations reside in Nablus and are a great way for students to supplement their education.