Mount Gerizim (pron.: /ˈɡɛrɨˌzɪm/; Samaritan Hebrew Ar-garízim, Arabic جبل جرزيم Jabal Jarizīm, Tiberian Hebrew הַר גְּרִזִּים Har Gərizzîm, Standard Hebrew הַר גְּרִיזִּים Har Gərizzim) is one of the two mountains in the immediate vicinity of the West Bank city of Nablus (biblical Shechem), and forms the southern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated, the northern side being formed by Mount Ebal. The mountain is one of the highest peaks in the West Bank and rises to 2849 feet (881 m) above sea level, 228 feet (69.5 m) shorter than Mount Ebal. The mountain is particularly steep on the northern side, is sparsely covered at the top with shrubbery, and lower down there is a spring with a high yield of fresh water.
From Bædeker: (1898) Route 22 page 256
The slopes of Mt. Gerizim afford a beautiful view of Nâbulus. By the highest row of gardens we turn to the left (E.), and follow a terrace skirting the rocky slope. The large caverns here were probably once quarries. From the terrace we at length reach a platform, from which projects a triangular piece of rock, about 10 ft. in diameter. This spot accords better than any other with the narrative of Judges ix. 7-21, while the passage Joshua viii. 30-3S applies best to the amphitheatrical bays of Ebal and Gerizim to the E. of Nâbulus.
Two routes lead to the top of Mt. Gerizim (1 hr.); see the Plan, p. 253. One passes the Chapel of Rijâl el-'Amûd near the barraeks (p. 252). The other leads from the S.W. corner of the town and through the valley ascending thence towards the S., in which (10 min.) rises the copious spring Râs el-'Ain. A climb of 40 min. brings us to a lofty plain, where the Samaritans pitch their tents at the feast of the Passover. Thence to the summit is a walk of 10 min. more.
Seven days before the feast the Samaritans repair hither and encamp in this basin. The scene of the sacrifice is a little nearer the top of the mount. The chief ceremony of the feast consists in the solemn slaughtering of seven white lambs in strict accordance with the Old Testament ritual. Visitors are seldom admitted to this most interesting spectacle.
Mt. Gerisim (2848 ft.) is composed almost entirely of nummulite limestone (tertiary formation). The summit consists of a large plateau, at the N. end of which are the ruins of a castle, probably erected in Justinian's time (533), although the walls, 5-10 ft. thick, consisting of drafted blocks, may possibly belong to a still older structure. The castle forms a large square and is flanked with towers. On the E. side are remains of several chambers, one of which has a Greek cross over the door. To the N.E. rises the weli of Shêkh Ghânim (magnificent view from the window, see below), and on the N. side of the castle is a large reservoir. Of the Church which once stood here the lowest foundations only are extant. It was an octagonal building with an apse towards the E., having its main entrance on the N., and chapels on five sides. It is said to have been erected in 474 (?533). To the S. of the castle are walls and cisterns, and there is a paved way running from N. to S. Some massive substructions a little below the castle, to the S., are shown as the stones of the altar which Joshua is said to have erected here (viii. 30-32) . In the centre of the plateau the Samaritans point out a projecting rock as having once been the site of the altar of their temple. — Over the whole mountaintop are scattered numerous cisterns and smaller paved platforms resembling the places of prayer on the area of the Harâm at Jerusalem (p. 39). The whole surface bears traces of having once been covered with houses. Towards the E. are several paved terraces. At the S. E. corner the spot where Abraham was about to slay Isaac is pointed out. Near it, to the N.W., are some curious round steps. — The summit commands a noble Prospect: to the E. lies the plain of El-Makhna, bounded by gentle hills, with the village ot'Asker lying on the N. side, and that of Kafr Kallîn on the S.; farther to the E. are, in the direction from N. to S., 'Asmût, Sâlim (with Bêt Dejan behind), Rûjib, and 'Awerta. The valley to the S. is the Wâdi 'Awerta. To the E., in the distance, rise the mountains of Gilead , among which Jebel Osha' (p. 163) towers conspicuously. Towards the N. the Great Hermon is visible, but the greater part of the view in this direction is shut out by Mt. Ebal. Towards the N.W. Carmel is visible in clear weather. Towards the W. the valleys and hills slope away to the blue band of the distant Mediterranean; Cæsarea may sometimes be recognised (S.W.).
From Murray: (pages 337-340)
Few will turn aside from the ancient Shechem without making a pilgrimage to the shrine of the Samaritans — Gerizim, the “ Mountain of Blessing.”” A Samaritan guide is the best, but a Jew or a Christian will serve the purpose. The way is steep and so long that a horse or donkey is a comfort, especially on a hot day. It winds up the beautiful glen immediately on the S. side of the town; and here we get some charming views—rich in many-tinted foliage, picturesquely grouped houses, graceful palm-trees, and rugged cliffs — all alive with the song of birds and the murmuring of waters. One is reminded of some of the finest glens around Sorento and Vico Equense. But the trees and waters are soon left behind, and a turn to the l. shuts them out from view. There is now a stiff climb for 1/4 of an hour up the mountain side. On gaining the top we have before us a broad irregular plateau, or rather close succession of mountain summits, thickly covered with stones, but still cultivated in little patches and terraces, between which the stones have been heaped together. The prospect is wild and dreary in the extreme. We now proceed along the top, due E., towards a conspicuous wely that crowns a rocky knoll, and in 15 min. reach the base of the latter. Here we observe a few perches of tolerably level ground where the Samaritans encamp at the feast of Passover. On its eastern side is a small rectangular area, surrounded by stones something like the foundations of an old building. In its centre is a trough about a foot deep and 4 ft. long, filled with ashes and calcined bones, the remains of the Passover lambs which are burned with fire according to the command in the Law (Ex. Xii. 10). Beside the enclosure is a circular pit 3 ft. in diameter and some 8 or 10 deep, in which the Paschal lambs are roasted—* Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire.”
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