"The Good Samaritan" is the nickname of a person who immediately helps another without compensation. The source of the phrase in the New Testament (Luke, 10:25-37): Jesus tells of a passerby who was robbed and wounded. A Cohen bypassed him. He was followed by Levy, who also passed him without offering help. Finally, only a Samaritan passing by approached him, took care of him, led him to the inn, and took care of all his needs.
The Mosaic Museum, "The Good Samaritan Inn," is located on a historic site in Mishor Adumim, on the road between Jericho and Jerusalem. A roadside inn during the Second Temple period helped pilgrims who traveled to Jerusalem from the east.
Rock-hewn caves from the Second Temple period were also found at the site, with many archeological finds such as metal vessels, coins, glass and pottery vessels, and more.
A short film about the site and the good Samaritan parable is shown in one of the caves in the compound. The video should be played at the click of a button at the entrance to the cave.
There was a military fortress here in the Byzantine period whose job was to deal with the many robbers who cared for the road users. During this period, apparently, the place was identified with Jesus's parable. Later, an inn was established for pilgrims who traveled from Jerusalem to Qasr al-Yehud - the baptismal site in Jordan. A large church was also erected on the site.
Today the site serves as a mosaic museum. The art of mosaic came to Israel with the Greeks and expanded significantly in the Roman and Byzantine periods. The museum displays ancient mosaics from the Byzantine period, collected from Jewish and Samaritan churches and synagogues from Judea and Samaria, and the temple in Gaza. In addition, various archeological finds collected from the synagogues and churches from which the mosaics were brought are displayed throughout the site.
A short path leaves from the site to a beautiful observation point on Road 1 and the ancient road from Jericho to Jerusalem.
📱 You can scan a barcode by phone and receive a concise and excellent audio guide that accompanies the visit (in Hebrew and English). In addition, you can rent a device with the voice guide for a nominal fee for those who do not have a mobile phone.
🎫 Entrance fee in accordance with the rates of the Nature and Parks Authority. Free for Matmon and Israel Pass card holders.
Enjoy 🤗
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