In the vicinity of these ruins, among the western cliffs, scrolls with religious texts were discovered in 1947 by chance by Bedouins. Subsequent archaeological excavations, conducted since 1950 in eleven caves, have revealed manuscripts ranging from history to the statutes of the Covenant Community that occupied the site. These findings include the Apocrypha and the oldest known versions of books of the Bible, written in Hebrew and Aramaic.
On site, you can explore various structures, from a room where scribes copied the scrolls by hand, a pavement used to dry dates destined for markets, to a vessel workshop, a dining room and a ritual bathing pool. 
These vestiges transport us to the daily life of the ancient Essenes, who left Jerusalem in search of spiritual purity.

​

The visitor center, conceived in the likeness of the ancient buildings of Qumran, offers an enriching experience. A thrilling film connects the splendid landscape with the history of the inhabitants, including John the Baptist. The visit culminates with a spectacular view of the cave that sheltered most of the Dead Sea Scrolls, awakening interest in contemplating the scrolls themselves in the Chapel of the Book, located in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
​