The Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir, is located several kilometers southwest of Jerusalem, in the central highlands between Nablus and Hebron. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2014.

This cultural landscape belongs to the Battir Mountain Terraces agricultural landscape, consisting of a series of stone terraces. The local residents have ingeniously utilized the mountainous terrain to cultivate these layered terraces. Developing terraced agriculture in mountainous areas requires underground water sources, with crops in the terraces being irrigated through irrigation channels. This traditional farming method of terracing is beneficial for drainage and water retention, with some terraces used for growing fruits and vegetables, while the drier terraces primarily host olive and grape trees.

Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir

Reasons to Visit: Added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014

Continent: Asia

Country: Palestine

Provinces: Nablus and Hebron Governorates