Sakhnin - Important Sites in Sakhnin and The Nearby Area

Important Sites in Sakhnin and The Nearby Area

There are many old houses, caves and graves in the old section of Sakhnin. In the heart of the old town there is a grave called The Sheikh Ibrahim which is one of the 66 graves in Israel and the Palestinian Territories, who was considered a saint by the locals. This grave/shrine used to be visited by many women, light candles inside it the shrine, and hang pieces of cloth on its walls asking for blessing.

Another important site, which lies in the Christian neighborhood, is called Rabbi Yihushua Di Sakhnin or Alsaddik in the local language. He is buried in gigantic stone coffin. In the past, the local people were scared whenever they passed this grave during the night, while others used to kiss its walls and ask the dead Rabbi to heal them and their relatives because it was believed that the Rabbi used to heal people from certain diseases.

Another famous shrine is al Sheik Obeid's shrine, which is very close to the Shaknin's guesthouse. This shrine was deticated to al Sheik Abdalla Ibrahim Khalaili. Women also used to visit this shrine, paint its walls with henna, and hang pieces of cloth on the walls and then ask the Sheik to fulfill their wishes. The last grave, which also became a shrine later, lies in the western cemetery of the town and it is known by Sheik Ismael. This grave was recently restored by some volunteers.

Another important site in Sakhnin is called The Cave of the Ten which is carved in the rocks. The shepherds used to use its water for their cattle. It is not clear how this cave got its name. Some people believe that it got its name because of the number of fingers in a person's both hands. Another version says that it got its name because of the Ten Commandments. Another important site, which lies in the southeast of the town, is called The Spring which served as the main source of drinking water for the people of Sakhnin decades ago.