Tel Shomron (Sebastia) is the site of the ancient capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel, founded by King Omri around 880 BCE. For nearly two centuries, Samaria was one of the most important cities in the ancient Near East, the seat of kings like Ahab and Jezebel, the target of prophetic fury from Elijah and Amos, and the rival of Jerusalem until the Assyrians destroyed it in 722 BCE.
The Israelite City
Omri chose the hill of Samaria for its strategic position, commanding views of the surrounding valleys and the road between the coast and the Jordan Valley. His son Ahab expanded the city with an elaborate palace complex, including the famous “ivory house” mentioned in 1 Kings 22:39. Archaeologists have indeed found hundreds of ivory carvings at the site, confirming the biblical description.
Roman Sebastia
Herod the Great rebuilt the city in grand Roman style and renamed it Sebastia (the Greek equivalent of Augustus) in honor of his patron. The Roman remains include a colonnaded street, a temple dedicated to Augustus, a forum, and a theater. The scale of Herod’s construction is impressive, though the site is less developed for tourism than Beit She’an.
The Tomb of John the Baptist
Christian tradition identifies Sebastia as the burial place of John the Baptist. A Crusader cathedral, later converted into a mosque, marks the traditional tomb site. The building is one of the most architecturally interesting Crusader-era structures in the region.
Visit with Hoshen Tours
Tel Shomron connects the stories of Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah’s prophecies, Herod’s ambition, and early Christianity in a single site. Hoshen Tours includes it for visitors interested in biblical history and the Kingdom of Israel.