AIN KARIM (Arabic: «fontana della vigna»). — A village situated 7 km west of Jerusalem (Karem of Jos. 15:59, according to the Septuagint), which, according to a well-founded tradition dating back to the 6th century, would be the birthplace of St. John the Baptist, and is therefore called by Christians (based on Lk. 1:39) St. John in Montana.
The sanctuary of St. John, of Byzantine origin (5th–6th century), preserves the memory of Zechariah’s house with the various Gospel scenes associated with it: at the end of the left aisle a cave is shown where it is believed the Precursor was born. Less certain are the traditions connected with the sanctuary of the Visitation, also of Byzantine origin.
BIBL.: B. Meistermann, La patrie de st Jean Bapt., Paris 1908; D. Buzy, St Jean Baptiste, Etudes historiques et critiques, Paris 1922, ch. III; Le lieu de la visitation ou la patrie de st. J. B., pp. 49–63, 400–401; B. Bagatti, Il santuario della Visitazione ad Ain Carm (Montana Judea): esplorazioni, archeologia e ripristino, Jerusalem 1948.
Gaetano M. Perrella