Ein Kerem - the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist

 Here, just 5 miles or so west of Jerusalem is the little town of Ein Kerem, nestled in a valley of the Judean hills.  This is the traditional site of the home of Zacharias and Elizabeth and the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist.  It is about 10 or so miles from Bethlehem (depending on the route taken).  The ONLY clue we get from the scriptures is in Luke 1:39 "And Mary... went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda." and of course, when Herod killed the babes in Bethlehem, it included (Matt 2:16) "all the coasts thereof (around Bethlehem) from 2 years old and under."

 a beautiful mosaic on the front of a Catholic church in Ein Kerem depicting Mary's trip there.

 a view looking east towards Jerusalem on the horizon.  Bethlehem would be on the right behind the hill in the foreground.

 An ancient well that supplies water for  Ein Kerem, called Mary's well.

a couple more photos of the hills of Judea.  They are heavily forested, as you can see.  This heavily forested land has not seen much settlement as the land is stony, but this is the country that lies between Jerusalem and Bethlehem and provided a buffer between Israel and the Philistines.  David came through the Judean hills to the Elah Valley where he fought with Goliath.