Visitors can see these sites, which include: -

The Stadium

The stadium is located at the northern slope of the hill named Karm ash-Sheikh. It extends 195 m. in length and 58 m. breadth. Despite its distance from the town centre, it had been part of this huge archaeological area. The stadium is still buried in earth and it has not been erected yet. Originally this site had been a playing area surrounded by two identical buildings as well as four rows of columns dating back to the last quarter of the second century AD.

The Royal Tombs

The Royal tombs date back to the end of the second century and the beginning of the third one AD. They consist of a square room that had been covered with a huge dome. It contains ornamented stone coffins and beautiful stone statues. It can be seen in the middle of the old town near the mosque where it is located at a low level below the main street.

During the Byzantine period (324-636 AD), Sebastia had become an episcopal center linked to the presence of the tomb of John the Baptist (Prophet Yahia, Peace Be Upon Him). In this early Christian period, the tradition had grown that Sebastia had been the site of John the Baptist’s burial after he had been executed at the behest of Herod’s stepdaughter Salomi. The town had become an attraction to Christian pilgrims. Two churches had been built there., the first of which is located to the south of the archaeological site hill. It is in the form of a small basilica that had been established in the fifth century AD, and it is located on the southern slope of the Acropolis. The second church had been built in the modern town of Sebastia.

Sebastia had been conquered by Amr ibn al-Aas during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq in the year 634 AD. During the Crusader period (1099-1187 AD) a huge cathedral had been built above its ruins. Sebastia then had returned to Islamic rule in 1187 after the battle of Hittin. The village where the mosque is located had been mainly the building of the Latin cathedral. It dates back to the second half of the twelfth century, and it had been built above the foundations of the Byzantine church. The reason for the demolition of the church is due to the earthquake that struck the town.

An Ottoman mosque was later built there in 1892. It was located above the eastern part of the cathedral and is still standing today, named after Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

Sebastia, the Mamluk, the Ottoman (Turkish) and the modern village of today has retained its ancient Roman name. The historic town with its courtyards, streets and narrow alleys is considered a model of traditional Palestinian architecture. It is one of the al-Karasi villages (sheikhdoms) that prevailed at the end of the Ottoman period. The most important sites to visit include the museum in the yard of the church, the mosque, where the shrine of John the Baptist’s burial is located, and the nearby al-Kayed palace.