New Museum of Mosaics in the Inn of the Good Samaritan

For many months as I have been passing the old Turkish Inn on the road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea, I have been wondering

Gaza Synagogue Mosaic

what was being built. I am curious by nature, but I had no way to stop in and ask. But the cat is out of the bag.

In years gone by we used to stop at this place, as it had become known as the Inn of the Good Samaritan. The name is based on the parable by Jesus about the man that was robbed by highway robbers on his travel between Jericho and Jerusalem, and the treatment he received by various people passing by (Luke 10: 34-35).
Research and excavations have shown that the place existed in the late 2nd Temple period, became a monastery and resting site in the Byzantine period. In the Crusader period it was revived and also became a fortress to guard Jerusalem. And finally in the late Ottoman period it was rebuilt as a caravan stop. It was this last building that became known as The Inn of the Good Samaritan.

The rebuilding that has taken place has made the place into a unique museum, maybe even the only one of its kind. It is now The Museum of the Mosaics, and was opened to the public in the beginning of June 2009.

It houses and shows off mosaics from synagogues, Jewish and Samaritan, as well as Byzantine churches. These mosaics were found in Gaza and on the West Bank, and have up till now not been available to the general public. The exhibits are both indoor and outdoor.

No doubt this will become an important stop for many traveling the road between Jerusalem and Jericho or the Dead Sea. An additional advantage is that for the time being no payment is charged for visiting this new exciting museum.

I will admit that at the time of the writing of these lines, I have not yet visited the site, but I am sure to do so, as soon as opportunity arises.

Reminder: as a subscriber to Updates you are entitled to 10% discount on all touring services in private guided tours.

Courtesy: Jerusalem Post Online