AIN KARIM (Arabic: “fountain of the vineyard”). - 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, is said to be the birthplace of S. Giovanni Battista, and is therefore called by Christians (on the basis of Lk., 1, 39) S. Giovanni in Montana.
The sanctuary of S. Giovanni, of Byzantine origin (5th-6th century), preserves the memory of the house of Zaccaria, with the various Gospel scenes connected with it: at the end of the left nave there is a grotto in which the Forerunner is believed to have been born. More uncertain are the traditions attached to the sanctuary of the Visitation, likewise of Byzantine origin.
BIBL.: B. Meistermann, La patrie de st Jean Bapt, Paris 1908; P. Bury, St Jean Baptiste, Etudes historiques et critiques, Paris 1922, chap. 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 Carim (Montana Judene): epiloroz, archeologica e ripristino, Jerusalem 1948. Gaetano M. Perrella