World Heritage Identification Number: 1492
World Heritage since: 2014
Category: Cultural Heritage
WHE Type: Cultural Landscapes
Transboundary Heritage: No
Endangered Heritage: Yes
Country: 🇵🇸 State of Palestine
Continent: Asia
UNESCO World Region: Arab States
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Palestine's Battir: A Terraced Oasis in the West Bank
The cultural landscape of southern Jerusalem, Battir, is a unique agricultural area located in the Central Highlands between Nablus and Hebron, approximately 6.4 kilometers west of Bethlehem. This site, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and traditional farming practices of Palestine.
More to come…UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site
This site is located a few kilometres south-west of Jerusalem, in the Central Highlands between Nablus and Hebron. The Battir hill landscape comprises a series of farmed valleys, known as widian, with characteristic stone terraces, some of which are irrigated for market garden production, while others are dry and planted with grapevines and olive trees. The development of terrace farming in such a mountainous region is supported by a network of irrigation channels fed by underground sources. A traditional system of distribution is then used to share the water collected through this network between families from the nearby village of Battir.
UNESCO Justification of the World Heritage Site
Criterion (iv): The dry-stone architecture represents outstanding example of a landscape that illustrates the development of human settlements near water sources and the adaptation of the land for agriculture. The village of Battir, which developed on the outskirts of this cultural landscape, and was inhabited by farmers who worked and still work the land, attests to the sustainability of this system and to its continuation over at least a millennia. The traditional system of irrigated terraces is an outstanding example of technological expertise, which constitutes an integral part of the cultural landscape.
Criterion (v): The strategic location of Battir and the availability of springs were two major factors that attracted people to settle in the area and adapt its steep landscape into arable land. The property is an outstanding example of traditional land-use, which is representative of many centuries of culture and human interaction with the environment. The agricultural practices that were used to create this living landscape reflect one of the oldest farming methods known to humankind and are an important source of livelihood for local communities.
Encyclopedia Record: Battir
Battir is a Palestinian village in the Bethlehem Governorate of the State of Palestine, in the West Bank, 6.4 km west of Bethlehem, and southwest of Jerusalem. In 2017, the village had a population of 4,696.Additional Site Details
Area: 348.83 hectares
Number of Components: 2
(v) — Outstanding example of traditional human settlement
Coordinates: 31.7163888889 , 35.1588888889
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© Ali.batha, CC BY-SA 4.0 Resized from original. (This derivative is under the same CC BY-SA license.)
World Heritage Research
Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines – Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem, Battir from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.
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In the Land of Olives and Vines: A Conversation about Climate Justice as Political Resistance in Palestine
A unique exploration of climate justice as a form of political resistance emerges from the conversation between journalist Sheila Reid and three student journalists, centered around their live journalism piece 'Letter from Battir.' The work, developed during an international journalism course focused on food reporting through decolonial and community-based perspectives, sheds light on the struggles faced by the West Bank village of Battir. Presented at the 2023 International Live Journalism Festival, this piece highlights global climate issues, particularly in the context of Palestine's cultural landscape, offering a nuanced understanding of how local communities engage with climate justice as an act of defiance against systemic challenges.
Reid, S. (2025). In the Land of Olives and Vines: A Conversation about Climate Justice as Political Resistance in Palestine. Canadian Theatre Review, 203, 59–63. https://doi.org/10.3138/ctr.203.010
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Conservation of dry-stone structures: a practical study on the Al-Makhrour’s watchtowers
A practical conservation project successfully revitalized twenty dry-stone watchtowers within the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Palestine: Land of Olives and Vines, Cultural Landscape of Southern Jerusalem.' The study documented fifty watchtowers out of approximately 259 across 13 square kilometers, addressing their deteriorating condition that contributed to the site's inclusion on UNESCO's in-danger list. The project employed a multi-disciplinary approach, including field surveys, literature reviews, and assessments of previous conservation efforts, adhering to international guidelines for documentation, reversibility, authenticity, distinguishability, adaptive reuse, cultural landscape, and human dimension. This work highlights the importance of systematic conservation practices in preserving such unique cultural landscapes.
AbuOwda, Z., Aslan, Z., & Rjoub, A. (2023). Conservation of dry-stone structures: a practical study on the Al-Makhrour’s watchtowers. Landscape History, 44(1), 121–142. https://doi.org/10.1080/01433768.2023.2196127
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Biodiversity conservation of a new protected area ‘Al-Arqoub’, South Jerusalem Hills, Palestine
'Al-Arqoub' in the South Jerusalem Hills, Palestine, is designated as a protected area (IUCN Category VI) due to its exceptional biodiversity and vulnerability. The study documented 417 plant species, 15 fungi, 105 birds, 3 amphibians, 12 reptiles, and 31 mammals, highlighting its ecological significance within the Mediterranean Biodiversity Hotspot. Threats such as harmful agricultural practices, urbanization, and land fragmentation were identified, prompting the implementation of biocultural conservation strategies. These efforts benefit four marginalized communities through sustainable agriculture, women's empowerment, ecotourism, ecosystem restoration, and education. The designation aligns with Palestine's National Biodiversity Strategy (2023-2030) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, serving as a model for conservation in politically unstable regions.
Qumsiyeh, M. B., Bassous-Ghattas, R., Handal, E. N., Abusarhan, M., Najajreh, M. H., & Albaradeyia, I. M. (2023). Biodiversity conservation of a new protected area ‘Al-Arqoub’, South Jerusalem Hills, Palestine. Parks, (29.1), 33–42. https://doi.org/10.2305/iucn.ch.2023.parks-29-1mbq.en
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Sustainability of the Palestinian historic village of Battir
Battir, a Palestinian village renowned for its ancient terraced landscape and inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2014, faces significant challenges in preserving its historic built heritage while ensuring sustainability. A comprehensive Sustainable Plan, led by the International Peace and Cooperation Center (IPCC), outlines strategies for conserving the village core and enhancing its surroundings. The plan emphasizes the role of heritage preservation in creating socio-economic opportunities for inhabitants, focusing on better management of natural and cultural resources. Key findings highlight the current state of conservation and propose interventions to address these challenges, aiming to balance authenticity with sustainable development.
Kudumovic, L. (2021). Sustainability of the Palestinian historic village of Battir. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 13(1), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.1108/jchmsd-08-2020-0124
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The Treasure Map of the citizen childhood
Children in Battir, Palestine, created the 'Treasure Map' by geospatializing local data during open mapping workshops at their village's public library. This innovative project, led by a team of young Palestinian professionals without prior cartographic expertise, demonstrated how citizen-driven initiatives can effectively combine scientific rigor with artistic expression to preserve and interpret local heritage. The map integrates topographic surveys from Battir and neighboring villages, offering an editable, interpretable, and visually memorable tool for public information. Unlike traditional cartographic works bound by confidentiality, this project prioritizes transparency and community engagement, showcasing the potential of participatory mapping in cultural landscape conservation.
Desclaux-Salachas, J. (2021). The Treasure Map of the citizen childhood. Proceedings of the ICA, 4, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.5194/ica-proc-4-27-2021
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Battir: Creative Resistance in a Front Line—Opportunities and Dilemmas of Tourism Development in a Conflict Zone
Battir, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Palestine, demonstrates how tourism can serve as both an economic opportunity and a tool for creative resistance against structural violence. The village's inhabitants, particularly through the legacy of Hasan Mustafa who preserved Battir during the 1948 conflict, leverage non-violent resistance to shape a conflict-sensitive tourism model that benefits the community while maintaining its cultural integrity. This study highlights the potential for Palestinian-led narratives—centered on stories of resilience and change—to elevate Battir's tourism beyond mere visitor attraction, fostering awareness about occupation and promoting inclusive economic growth. By integrating immaterial heritage (e.g., resistance narratives) into tourism products, guided by Palestinian tour guides, Battir offers a blueprint for sustainable development that aligns with UNESCO’s values while addressing the challenges of exclusionary Israeli marketing and underdeveloped Palestinian tourism strategies.
Kuntz, A. F. (2019). Battir: Creative Resistance in a Front Line—Opportunities and Dilemmas of Tourism Development in a Conflict Zone. Tourism Culture & Communication, 19(4), 265–276. https://doi.org/10.3727/194341419x15554157596164
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Coltivare cibo baladii in Palestina
In the Occupied Territories, particularly in Battir (Bethlehem), Palestinian farming practices reveal intricate links between environmental agency and political dynamics. The study highlights how local food cultivation patterns, rooted in familial knowledge, reflect broader national and regional politics of nature, including denial of both human 'Others' and environmental elements. Despite military occupation and border development, Palestinian farmers maintain autonomy through ecological relationality, challenging technofix utopias and nationalist perspectives that fail to address shared environmental challenges like overheating atmospheres and resource scarcity. The research underscores the interdependence between patterns of exclusion—both social and ecological—and the resilience of local knowledge in sustaining food sovereignty amid political and environmental upheaval.
Van Aken, M. (2018). Coltivare cibo baladii in Palestina [JD]. Antropologia Pubblica, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1473/anpub.v4i1.129
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