[5][6] In the 12th century, during the Crusader era, a rural monastery was established consisting of several barrel-vaulted buildings, an enclosure wall and a chapel.

[7] British archaeologist Denys Pringle proposed that the complex was a known Cistercian house called "Saluatio" established in 1169.

They paid a fixed tax-rate of 33,3 % on wheat, barley, summer crops and olives, a total of 3,150 Akçe.

A few rods on the left, higher up the valley, is a fine fountain, which waters a tract of gardens and fruit trees along the bottom.

[12] In 1873, the PEF's Survey of Western Palestine visited and described the ruins at 'Allar es Sifleh: "Apparently an ancient site with rock- cut tombs.

A cornice runs round the interior two brackets remain on the north wall between the windows, which probably once supported the arches of the roof.

"[13] French orientalist and archaeologist, Charles Clermont-Ganneau, who visited the site in 1874 described in great detail the ancient church (El K'nîseh) which he saw in Allar al-Sifla, and which partially stands to this very day.

[2] Six Arab families from Bayt 'Itab who settled amid the Crusader ruins were involved in a long-standing feud with Allar villagers over water use, land ownership and grazing routes, which only ended in 1948 when both places were depopulated.

The mukhtar explained that Noah passed by this spot in his ark but saw only a spring rather than his oven, which is why he chose to continue his journey and land on Mount Ararat.