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Since time immemorial, the villagers of Battir depended on agriculture as a major source of income, a practice that majorly contributed to the sustainability of their landscape. Battir’s Roman spring and bath are considered a vital source of fresh water for the village residents. They pour directly into the ancient Roman Pool, which irrigates the crops in the valley. The stone-walled pool located at the centre of the village reflects shades of blue and is filled to the ridge. Water reaches the pool from the springs around the area, passes through irrigation channels, of which some date back to the Roman times, then runs towards the Jinan, the term that locals use for the terraces. Battir’s terraces and its unique system of water sharing are a preserved tangible and intangible cultural heritage for over 4,000 years.
