Tell Mar Elias

About 10 km to the N/W of Ajlun overlooking Gilead, lies Tell Mar Elias (Mar Elias in Arabic means Saint Elijah). This site has long been identified with Tishbe, the birth place of Elijah.

Archaeologists discovered one of the largest Byzantine churches in Jordan at Tell Mar Elias. The church dates back to the 7Th century, 622 AD is the most probable year. What distinguished this church is its cross-shape structure; which is a very rare style.

Nowadays, local Muslims and Christians still visit this site and practice their rituals; praying, lighting candles, and tying ribbons to the trees.