Feb 2, 2012

Port of Jaffa (Joppa)

   One of the most ancient maritime harbors in the world; mentioned in many written sources  - such as the Old and New testaments and the Greek mythology. 

2 Chronicles 2 : "And Solomon... will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa";

Jan 28, 2012

Simon-the-tanner's house

 The traditional site of the house of Simon the Tanner, where St. Peter resided while he was in Jaffa.

Acts 10 6: "He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side"

Jan 27, 2012

St. Peter's Church

  St. Peter's is an old  Franciscan Church, located in Old Jaffa.

Acts 9 40: "But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise".

Jan 13, 2012

St. George

Greek-Orthodox Church, Jaffa

  A Greek-Orthodox church, located near the southern entrance to Old Jaffa, and is  known for its tall bell tower.

Jan 9, 2012

Valley of Elah - Roman Road

  A collection of Roman milestones, on the road from Ashkelon to Jerusalem.

Dec 30, 2011

Beit-Jamal Monastery

  Beit-Jamal is a Monastery, located south of Beth-Shemesh. It is named after Gamaliel the Elder, and is the place of his burial and of St. Stephen - the first Christian martyr.

Dec 16, 2011

  An important Biblical city, located in the valley of Nahal Sorek. Beit Shemesh is mentioned in connection with the return of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines.

1 Samuel 6:12: "And the kine took the straight way to the way of Bethshemesh, and went along the highway..."

Nov 8, 2011

Adullam

  Remains of a Biblical city, located south of the valley of Elah. This was the home village of the wives of Judah, the hiding place of future king David, and a city fortified by King Rehobam.

1 Samuel 22:1: "David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam".

Sep 28, 2011

Tell Qaqun (Kakun)

    Remains of a Crusader and Mamluke period fortress, located on a hill at the side of ancient roads.

Sep 7, 2011

Azekah

  Remains of a mighty Biblical city, located above the valley of Elah. The city was one of the strongholds of the Kingdom of Judah, which protected its western border.

Joshua 10 11: "...the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah".

Aug 31, 2011

Sochoh

   Remains of a Biblical city, dated to the times of David and successor kings of Judah. It was an important fortified gateway city, protecting the western flank of the Kingdom.

  2 Chronicles 11 5-12: "And Rehoboam ... built cities for defense in Judah. He built ...  Shoco...".

Aug 20, 2011

Shaaraim ("Two gates")

   Remains of a Biblical city, dated to the times of David. Its name means "twin gates", which were found in the excavations of Khirbet Qeiyafa.

   1 Samuel 17:52: "And the wounded of the Philistines fell down by the way to Shaaraim..."

Aug 19, 2011

Tarbenet

  Tarbenet  was a Roman & Byzantine village in the Jezreel valley. A statue of Hercules was found in the salvage excavations during the construction of the new railway.

              Statue of Hercules found in the bathhouse

Aug 10, 2011

Elah Valley (Overview)

   The famous site of the battle between David and Goliath.

1 Samuel 17 2: "And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines. "

June 29, 2011

Kh. Matta and Ein Tannur -    

    the springs of Noah

   Ancient remains and springs are located in the Zanoah valley. They are named after Noah and the great flood.

Joshua 15, 33-34: "And in the valley...  Zanoah"

June 22, 2011

Horvat Hanut - Roads to Jerusalem

        The Roman road from Elah Valley   passed through Horvat Hanut, and started here its ascent to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

June 9, 2011

(Major Update)

West Nahal Zippori

   The west side of Nahal Zippori (Sepphoris creek) has several ancient sites spanning from Prehistoric times until recent time. They enjoyed the year round water flowing in the valley, the great soil, and strategic location.

May 10, 2011

Nitzana Cave,

    Nabatean ancient desert farming

     Nabatean quarry cave and ancient farming lands, located south of the ruins of Nitzana.

May 7, 2011

Nitzana Hillocks (Curves)

  A geological wonderland, with smooth white rock formations, in the western Negev desert.

May 2, 2011

Nitzana - Nessana

   Nitzana (Nessana) was a Byzantine desert city, located on the south-west frontier of the Holy Land. Founded as a Nabatean fortified station along the Incense route, then developed in the Byzantine period.

Apr 28, 2011

Be'erota'im - Two Wells 

  A desert Oasis named after Moses and Aaron. Remains from the Bronze and Iron Age periods, Nabatean period, and Ottoman railway.

Deuteronomy 10:6: " And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan".

Apr 12, 2011

  Impressive ruins of a Nabatean, Roman and Byzantine city in the Negev desert. A UNESCO world heritage site.

Mar 31, 2011

   A Nabatean city on the Incense Route, which became an impressive desert city during   the Roman and Byzantine periods.

Feb 7, 2011

Inn of the Good Samaritan

      The site served as a hostel along the road from Jericho to Jerusalem, with remains from the Roman period to the Ottoman period. A new archaeological museum was opened here, focusing on ancient Mosaics collected from excavations across the West Bank and Gaza.

Luke 10 33-34: "But a certain Samaritan, ...had compassion on him...brought him to an inn, and took care of him".

Jan 29, 2011

Martyrius Monastery

      A large walled Byzantine monastery, founded by Martyrius in the 5th C. The site,   one of the largest and most beautiful communal monasteries in the Judean Desert, was recently opened to the public after extensive excavations & restoration.

Jan 25, 2011

(Major Update)

Mosaics of the

Basilica of Annunciation

This church is one of the Holiest Christian sites. Many nations have contributed a mosaic on the annunciation subject, with their local characteristics.

 Jan 16, 2011

Euthymius Monastery

   A large walled 5th C monastery and pilgrimage inn, with huge underground water reservoirs.

  Jan 13, 2011

(Total upgrade)

Khirbet Kabra

  Ruins located on a small hill on the north-west side of Karmi'el. This was probably one of the Byzantine monasteries in the area. 

 Dec 29, 2010

(Total upgrade)

Khirbet Bata

  A Byzantine fortified village located on a high hill on the east side of Karmi'el, with two churches.  This was the most important site in the area.

Dec 15, 2010

Khirbet Kenes (el-Kanayis)

  Ruins of a Byzantine monastery located on a high hill on the east side of Karmi'el. 

Nov 20, 2010

     This page focuses on the Crusaders period in Nebi Samuel, from their arrival (1099) to their departure (1187).

Nov 14, 2010

Nebi Samuel -   Hasmonean / Maccabee

     This page focuses on the ancient Hasmonean village in Nebi Samuel. It may have been the place called Mizpah of Benjamin.

(1 Hasmonean  3 46): "Then they gathered together and went to Mizpah, opposite Jerusalem, because Israel formerly had a place of prayer in Mizpah".

Nov 12, 2010

Nebi Samuel - Overview

       The Holy site of Nebi Samuel is the traditional tomb of prophet Samuel, with remains from the Hasmonean period (2nd C BC) through the Crusaders period (12th C AD).

1 Samuel 10 17: "And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh"

Nov 4, 2010

Kh. Sahar (Sireh)

  Ruins of a large Roman and Byzantine village. A  cemetery is located on its west side, with many rock-hewn burial caves, cist graves and sarcophagi.  Other rock cuttings are located near the ruins.

Oct 26, 2010

Kh. Tililiya

       Ruins of fortress situated on a high hill in the center of Ramot-Alon neighborhood, Jerusalem, which is dated to the second temple period.

(Major update)

Oct 9, 2010

Ein Dor

   This village is located south of Mount Tabor. EinDor's fame is from the visit of King Saul to the witch from EinDor. There are 2 sites - an ancient Biblical Tell, and a Roman/Arab village.

  1 Samuel 28:7: "Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor"

  Oct 2, 2010

Kedesh - Biblical City

   The ruins of the ancient city are located on a large mound, with remains from the Canaanite, Israelite and Persian/Hellenistic periods.

Joshua 21 32: "Kedesh in Galilee with the open land about it, the city of refuge for the manslayer".

 Sep 30, 2010

Kedesh - Roman City

   The ruins of the Roman village is located on a small hill to the north-east of the ancient Biblical site.

Sep 22, 2010

Kedesh - Overview

One of the largest and most important ancient mounds in the Galilee. Inhabited from the Bronze age to the Roman period. Recent excavations focus on the Persian/Hellenistic period.

Sep 9, 2010

Beit Alpha

  An ancient synagogue from the Byzantine period, where a beautiful mosaic floor  was found, illustrating a Zodiac, the Ark, and the binding of Isaac.

Sep 3, 2010

Tell Rechov (Rehov, Rehob)

     A large mound located in the Beit She'an valley, with remains from the Canaanite and Israelite periods. This is an active archaeological dig which continues to shed light on the Biblical period.

Aug 19, 2010

Banias - Roman/Byzantine city

      This page focuses on the Roman and Byzantine city in Banias. 

  Ant 20 9 4: "About this time it was that king Agrippa built Cesarea Philippi larger than it was before, and, in honor of Nero, named it Neronlas."

July 29, 2010

Western Wall Tunnels

  A major tourist attraction - an underground Jerusalem tour along the tunnels connecting the western wall prayer area to the north-west corner of the temple mount.

July 3, 2010

Water in the Judean desert

    In the dry Judean desert, water is life. Its few residents rely on wells and springs in order to survive.

June 22, 2010

Nebi Musa

      An ancient Holy Muslim site located on the side of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, built in the 13th C and dedicated to Prophet Moses (Nebi Musa). 

June 17, 2010

Horkania

     A 2nd C BC Hasmonean fortress in the northern Judean desert. It was reinforced by Herod the Great. During the Byzantine period a Monastery was built by the Judean monks.  

June 13, 2010

Jerusalem Light Show

   Amazing Light & Sound show held in June 2010 in the old city of Jerusalem.

  June 10, 2010

Jabal Munttar ('Azazel)

   High mountain in the Judean desert, site of a ruined Byzantine monastery, and probable place of the Biblical scapegoat ceremony.

Leviticus 16 10: ""But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness."

June 5, 2010

(Major update)

Mar Saba Monastery

A 5th C AD monastery, the largest in the Judean desert. The walled complex is built on the southern cliffs of the Kidron creek. It was established by Saint Sabas, and named after him. The monastery started as a place of seclusion of few monks in the caves, led by Mar Saba.

May 21, 2010

(5 web pages)

Tell Dan

  A nature reserve and the source of the Dan and Jordan rivers. An impressive archaeological site with unique  remains of the Canaanite and Israelite cities and a Biblical High Place.

Joshua 19 47: "...the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it... and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father".

May 11, 2010

(Major update)

Tell Kassis (Kashish)

Tell (mound)  Kassis is a biblical city on the east of mount carmel. It is identified with Khelkat, the southern city in the region of Asher.

1 Kings 18 46: "and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there"".

May 6, 2010

        The Nimrod fortress (Qal'at Namrud, Qal'at Subeiba) is one of the largest and most impressive fortresses in Israel. The fortress guarded the main road from Damascus to Tyre and Tiberias, and was an Arab stronghold which was constructed in order to block the Crusaders.

Apr 13, 2010

Khorvat Omrit

   A newly discovered Roman imperial temple complex, south-west of Banias (Caesarea-Philippi). Its temple is identified as the Augusteum described by Josephus and built by Herod.

Josephus (Wars 1 21):"...he (Herod) built there also a temple of white marble, hard by the fountains of Jordan".

Mar 11, 2010

Banias (Caesarea Philippi)

   An impressive Greco-Roman city located near a flowing spring - one of the sources of the Jordan river on the foothills of the Hermon mountain. A Roman sanctuary, which included temples and ritual courtyards,  was built near the sacred grotto of Pan.

Josephus (Wars 1 21 3): "... the place is called Panium, where is a top of a mountain that is raised to an immense height, and at its side, beneath, or at its bottom, a dark cave opens itself".

Feb 28, 2010

Roman streets of Jerusalem

  This page describes the ancient streets in the old city of Jerusalem, following the Madaba street map.

Feb 27, 2010

Second Temple Gates

  Quest for Herod's great temple: This web page traces the location and form of the ancient gates of the second temple.

Josephus Flavius, Ant. 15 11: "Now in the western quarters of the enclosure of the temple there were four gates..."

Feb 25, 2010

Dung (Ashpoth) Gate

  The Ottoman period gate is located on the south side, and named after the Biblical gate that was located nearby.

Feb 17, 2010

Dome of the Rock

  The dome of the Rock shrine, located in the center of the temple mount, with its large golden dome and an octagon structure, is one of the most beautiful and enduring shrines in the World.

Feb 13, 2010

Al Aqsa mosque

   Al-Aqsa ("the Farthest") Mosque is located on the southern side of the temple mount, and is the 3rd most holiest site in Islam. It is named after the Muslim's account of the night travel of prophet Muhammad to the remote mosque.

Feb 6, 2010

Gamla (Gamala)

   Gamla, a large fortified city located on a high ridge above a crossing of two gorges,  is one of the famous cities were Jewish rebels fought bravely against the Romans until their fatal end. Its story of bravery is well detailed in Josephus historical accounts.

  Josephus (War 4, 1 1): "Gamala ... was situated upon a rough ridge of a high mountain".

Jan 28, 2010

Coins from Bethsaida

   This web page presents some of the coins found in the Bethsaida excavations.

Jan 24, 2010

Khirbet e-Dikke

      Ruins of a late Roman village, located near the upper Jordan river in the fertile valley of BethSaida (Bettiha).

Jan 18, 2010

Bethsaida

  The ruins of the village are located on a hill, above the delta of the upper Jordan river, a fertile area with many ancient villages. It was a Biblical city in the land of Geshur, and a Roman city, the site of Jesus' two miracles.

  Mark 8:22: "And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him..."

Jan 10, 2010

Qumran

     Ruins of a famous Roman period settlement on the north-western shore of the Dead Sea. This was the home of the Essenes, a break-away sect. Scrolls, hidden in jars, were discovered in the caves around the site.

Jan 1, 2010

St. Gerassimos (Deir Hijla)

    A monastery on the southern side of the Jordan valley, founded in the 5th C by Abbot Gerassimos.

Joshua 15 6:"And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah"