Sebastia, Sabastiya in Arabic, is a Palestinian village on a hill north-west of Nablus, in the northern West Bank, surrounded by olive groves and terraced hillsides. It stands on the site of Samaria, the capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel in the ninth and eighth centuries BC, later rebuilt by Herod the Great, who named it Sebaste in honour of the Emperor Augustus. The ruins on the hilltop above the village span a thousand years of history.
The archaeological site includes the remains of the Israelite royal palace, a Hellenistic tower, a Roman theatre, a colonnaded street, a forum and the podium of a temple dedicated to Augustus. In the village itself stands a building that combines a Crusader cathedral with a mosque, built over a tomb associated by tradition with John the Baptist. The site is on the tentative list for UNESCO as part of the landscape of olives and vines in Palestine, and the olive groves around it are ancient.
The village depends on agriculture, especially olives, and on tourism, which has struggled because of the political situation. Access to parts of the archaeological site has been contested, and tensions between the Palestinian village and nearby Israeli settlements can flare. The situation in the northern West Bank has been especially volatile, with military operations around Nablus and Jenin.
Riding in the West Bank requires careful planning and caution. Check your government's travel advice before going, as the situation can change rapidly. Rental vehicles from Israel are often not insured for Palestinian areas, roads may be subject to checkpoints and closures, and some routes are restricted. The roads through the hills, with terraced olive groves and stone villages, are scenic, but this is not a place for a casual ride. Going with a local guide is the wisest option.
Nablus, about ten kilometres away, is the nearest major city, famous for its soap made from olive oil and for knafeh, a sweet pastry of cheese and syrup, which is said to be the best in the region. Spring, when the hills are green and the wildflowers bloom, is the best time to visit.