The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of the Gaza Strip has inaugurated, after 3 years of restoration, the archaeological site containing the Byzantine church discovered in the city of Jabalia in 1997. The archaeological site has an area of about 800 square meters. TAREQ ALAF Travel Guide "The restoration and maintenance work was carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism and Palestinian Antiquities, in collaboration with the French organization Première Urgence Internationale and thanks to funding from the British Council, a British body for the promotion of cultural relations." The church dates back to the time of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II, who reigned between 408 and 450 AD. Since its construction, the area has been used as the home of 24 Byzantine emperors and in Muslim times 14 Caliphs. TAREQ ALAF Travel Guide "It is a church with three aisles. It also consists of a central porch, the largest, a baptismal area and a prayer room attached to the church." The floor of the church is composed of mosaic carpets decorated with various geometric, floral and animal motifs. A baptismal font in the shape of a cross covered with white marble was also restored. 16 mosaics in ancient Greek language were also discovered in the area . TAREQ ALAF Travel Guide "This was a project that involved the restoration of the mosaic floors and the maintenance of the archaeological parts. Specific paths were created for visitors and above the church the roof was reconstructed as it must have appeared in the fifth century AD." Read More