The Jerusalem Hills(Colinas de Jerusalém) (also known as the Judean Hills or Judean Mountains) form a rugged, mountainous region in central Israel and the West Bank, surrounding the city of Jerusalem. These hills have played a crucial role in the history, religion, and culture of the region for thousands of years. From ancient biblical times to modern conflicts, the Jerusalem Hills have witnessed some of the most significant events in human civilization.
The Jerusalem Hills are part of the larger Judean Mountains, which extend from north to south through central Israel and the West Bank. These hills rise to an average height of 600–1,000 meters (1,970–3,280 feet) above sea level, creating a natural fortress for Jerusalem.
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To the west, they gradually descend into the Shephelah (lowlands), which leads to the Mediterranean coastal plain.
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To the east, they drop sharply into the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth.
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The hills are composed mainly of limestone and dolomite, with deep valleys and terraced slopes that have been used for agriculture for thousands of years.
Ancient History: Biblical Significance
Canaanite and Israelite Periods (3000–586 BCE)
The earliest human settlements in the Jerusalem Hills date back to the Bronze Age (c. 3000 BCE), when the region was inhabited by Canaanite tribes. Jerusalem itself, located in the heart of these hills, is mentioned in Egyptian texts as "Urusalim" as early as the 19th century BCE.
During the Iron Age (1200–586 BCE), the hills became the heartland of the biblical Kingdom of Israel and Judah. According to the Hebrew Bible:
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King David conquered Jerusalem around 1000 BCE and made it the capital of his kingdom.
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King Solomon built the First Temple on Mount Moriah (Temple Mount), turning the city into a religious and political center.
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The Judean kings built fortresses and water systems throughout the region to defend against external threats, particularly from the Assyrians and Babylonians.
In 586 BCE, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed the First Temple and exiled the Jewish population, marking the end of the First Temple Period.
Classical Period: Persian, Greek, and Roman Rule (539 BCE – 636 CE)
Persian and Hellenistic Periods (539–167 BCE)
After the fall of Babylon, the Persian Empire (539–332 BCE) allowed the Jewish exiles to return and rebuild the Second Temple in Jerusalem around 516 BCE. The hills became a center for religious revival and settlement.
During the Hellenistic period, following Alexander the Great’s conquest in 332 BCE, the region fell under Greek influence. The Jewish revolt against Greek rule, led by the Maccabees (167–160 BCE), took place in these hills, eventually leading to the establishment of the Hasmonean Kingdom (140–37 BCE).
Roman Period and the Great Revolt (63 BCE – 135 CE)
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The Roman general Pompey conquered Judea in 63 BCE, and by 37 BCE, Herod the Great, a Roman client king, ruled over the region.
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In 70 CE, during the Great Jewish Revolt, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple, a traumatic event that reshaped Jewish history.
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After the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 CE), the Romans crushed Jewish resistance, banned Jews from Jerusalem, and renamed the region Palestina.
Medieval and Islamic Period (636–1517 CE)
In 636 CE, the Muslim Rashidun Caliphate, under Caliph Umar, conquered Jerusalem. The region became an important center of Islamic rule, and the Dome of the Rock was built in 691 CE on the Temple Mount.
During the Crusades (1099–1187 CE), the Jerusalem Hills were the scene of major battles between Christian Crusaders and Muslim forces. The hills housed fortresses, monasteries, and strategic roads that played a vital role in controlling Jerusalem.
In 1187, Saladin, the Muslim ruler of the Ayyubid dynasty, recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders, marking the beginning of Muslim dominance that lasted until the Ottoman Empire.
Ottoman and British Periods (1517–1948)
Ottoman Rule (1517–1917)
The Ottoman Turks controlled the region for over 400 years, developing agricultural terraces, roads, and administrative centers. However, by the 19th century, the Jerusalem Hills had become a rural, underdeveloped area.
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The hills saw increased Jewish immigration in the late 1800s, as Zionist pioneers began resettling the land.
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Several Jewish agricultural villages were established, including Motza (1894), the first modern Jewish settlement west of Jerusalem.
British Mandate (1917–1948)
After World War I, the British Mandate of Palestine was established, and Jerusalem became the capital of British administration. The hills were central to conflicts between Jews, Arabs, and the British, especially during the Arab Revolt (1936–1939) and Jewish resistance against British rule.
Modern History: War and Statehood (1948–Present)
1948 Arab-Israeli War
During the 1948 War of Independence, the Jerusalem Hills were the site of fierce battles between Jewish and Arab forces.
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The Bab el-Wad (Gate of the Valley), a narrow pass through the hills, became a critical battleground for controlling supply routes to Jewish Jerusalem.
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The Jewish forces, particularly the Palmach and Haganah, fought to break the Arab siege of Jerusalem.
1967 Six-Day War
In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel captured the Jerusalem Hills, including East Jerusalem and the West Bank, from Jordan. This event reshaped the political and geographical landscape of the region.
Present-Day Importance
Today, the Jerusalem Hills remain vital to Israel’s security, culture, and environment:
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The hills contain important Israeli military bases and strategic roads.
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They are home to national parks, hiking trails, and nature reserves, preserving their historical and ecological significance.
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The region houses Jewish, Arab, and mixed communities, including towns like Mevasseret Zion, Abu Ghosh, and Ein Kerem.
Cultural and Religious Significance
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The hills are sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, containing historical sites such as the Western Wall, Church of the Visitation, and Al-Aqsa Mosque.
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Many biblical events, such as the stories of Abraham, David, and the prophets, are connected to these hills.
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The Jerusalem Hills continue to inspire religious pilgrimage, tourism, and historical research.
The Jerusalem Hills are more than just a geographical feature—they are a living testament to thousands of years of human civilization, struggle, and faith. From biblical kings to modern wars, the hills have witnessed the rise and fall of empires, the birth of religions, and the shaping of Israel's modern identity. Today, they stand as a bridge between history and the future, offering lessons of resilience and coexistence.
