Tourism Interpretation Center

Description of the site: Given the importance of the city of Sebastia from an archaeological and tourist point of view, The Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has planned and implemented the construction of a tourist interpretation center that provides tourism services to visitors. The center was built in 2014 at the eastern end of the public square of the Roman city. It also aims to confront the challenges posed by the Israeli occupation authorities, whether by controlling the movement of visitors to impose an occupation reality, or perpetuating a false and distorted narrative aimed at preventing the Palestinian cultural heritage properties in this city, especially after dividing the city into Area B and C according to the Oslo Accords, and its insistence on continuing to impose his control on the upper archaeological area, and depriving the town and Palestinian institutions of managing, developing, preserving and investing in this heritage in tourism. The center was built in 2014 at the eastern end of the public square of the Roman city.The building was designed with planning and specifications commensurate with the privacy of the archaeological site. The center consists of an interpretation hall, which can accommodate fifty people; the hall has been equipped with an audio-visual system that allows the screening of a documentary film in Arabic and English. This film presents the sequence of historical eras that followed in Sebastia and shows all the archaeological elements and components of the city. The building also includes health facilities, administrative offices, and a garage for cars and buses. The center is managed by the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities staff.