jifna was known as gophnah () at the time of the first jewish-roman war, and after its conquest became a roman regional capital, though remaining predominantly jewish. later the town grew less significant politically, but nevertheless prospered as a christian locality under byzantine and later arab rule due to its location on a trade route. st. george's church in jifna was built in the 6th century ce, but fell into disrepair and was not rebuilt until the arrival of the crusaders in the late 10th century. however, it again fell into ruin after the crusaders were driven out by the ayyubids. in modern times, the ruins of st. george's church have become a tourist attraction. during the period of ottoman control in palestine the tower of an ancient roman structure in jifna became the location of a jail house.