Cremisan is a beautiful and serene area, only 5 Km away from Bethlehem and 12 Km from Jerusalem. According to the most reliable etymological interpretation the actual name Cremisan comes from Kerem Zan – Vineyard of the grapes Zan – a very delicious types of local grapes. The etymology of the name already testifies to the typical agricultural vocation of the area, which has been devoted to vineyards all along.
In 1863, a young Italian missionary, Fr. Antonio Bellone, began to take care of many poor christian orphans in the Bethlehem area by offering them shelter and a proper religious and vocational education. For this purpose he opened the orphanages of Bethlehem and Beit Gemal.
