Hurvat Yatir is an archaeological site in the Judaean Desert in southern Israel. It is located in the Yatir Forest, about 10 kilometers south of the city of Kiryat Gat. The site is identified with the biblical city of Jattir, which was one of the Levitical cities of refuge.
Yatir is mentioned in the Book of Joshua (21:14) as a city given to the Levites in the tribal territory of Judah. Later, in 1 Samuel 30:27, David sends a share of his victory spoils to those living in Yatir.
There is also a region referred to as the “forest of Yatir” (or Yatir Forest) mentioned in the Bible (Joshua 15:48, 2 Chronicles 26:10). This forest is described as a place where King Uzziah had towers built for the defense and for observing agriculture.
The ruins of Hurvat Yatir date from the Iron Age II (9th-6th centuries BCE), the Byzantine period (4th-7th centuries CE), and the Mamluk period (13th-16th centuries CE). The site includes the remains of a synagogue, a church, a fortress, and a number of other buildings.
The synagogue at Hurvat Yatir is one of the oldest and best-preserved synagogues in Israel. It was built in the 4th century CE and is believed to have been in use until the 7th century CE. The synagogue is a single-room building with a central nave and two side aisles. The walls of the synagogue are decorated with a series of frescoes depicting biblical scenes.
The church at Hurvat Yatir was built in the 6th century CE and is believed to have been in use until the 7th century CE. The church is a three-aisled basilica with a central nave and two side aisles. The church is decorated with a series of mosaics depicting biblical scenes.
The fortress at Hurvat Yatir was built in the Mamluk period and is believed to have been in use until the 16th century CE. The fortress is a square structure with four towers at each corner. The fortress is surrounded by a moat.