Town Of Taffouh
The Origin Of Town's Name

Taffouh was one of the Cana'anite towns. It was named (Beit At-tuffah/the home of apples) because it was famous for growing apple trees. It was also called (BeitTuffaha/ the house of Tuffaha), and Tuffaha was one of Prophet Ya'coub's (peace be upon him) wives. Taffouh has witnessed several ancient civilizations that perished and died, but the town is still existing lofty despite ordeals, catastrophes and adversities. The archaeological studies provide many evidences and indications that the town was inhabited in the ancient ages and successive different civilizations alternately settled in the town. The most prominent ones were the Cana'anite, the Greek, the Romans, the Byzantines. The existence of the Roman ruins, the martyrs' tombs, the Roman wall, the ruined Roman prison, Al-Ma'modia (a site where monks christen their children), and the monastery are all strong evidences about the existence of the Roman civilization in the town. The archaeological excavations proved that the town dated back to the third millennium before the birth of Christ (3000 B.C.). For example, in the north, located KhirbitInstas (Depopulated or Devastated Instas), and Khirbet Al-Khumjat which is full of Cana'anite and Roman caves. In addition, the center of the ancient town, surrounded by the ancient Roman wall, the prison , the court and the remains of churches such as Al-Ma'mudia , the monastery, and the Islamic evidences such as the tomb of one leader of the Muslim garrison under the leadership of AmroIbn Al-'As, and that is the tomb (sanctum) of Sheikh Abdel-QaderAl-Jilani. Then came the British Mandate, the Jordanian Epoch, the Israeli Occupation, and lastly, the Palestinian National Authority in 1994.