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Latest Added:
Feb 2, 2012 |
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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";
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Jan 28, 2012 |
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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"
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Jan 27, 2012 |
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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".
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Jan 13, 2012 |
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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.

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Jan 9, 2012 |
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Valley of Elah - Roman Road
A collection of Roman milestones, on the road from Ashkelon
to Jerusalem.

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Dec 30, 2011 |
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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.

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Dec 16, 2011 |
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Beth Shemesh
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..." |
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Nov 8, 2011 |
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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".
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Sep 28, 2011 |
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Tell Qaqun (Kakun)
Remains of a Crusader and Mamluke
period fortress, located on a hill at the side of ancient roads.

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Sep 7, 2011 |
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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".
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Aug 31, 2011 |
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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...".
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Aug 20, 2011 |
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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..."
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Aug 19, 2011 |
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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
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Aug 10, 2011 |
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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. "
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June 29, 2011 |
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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"
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June 22, 2011 |
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Horvat Hanut - Roads to Jerusalem
The Roman road from Elah Valley passed through Horvat Hanut, and started here its ascent to
Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

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June 9, 2011
(Major Update) |
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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.

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May 10, 2011 |
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Nitzana Cave,
Nabatean ancient desert
farming
Nabatean quarry
cave and ancient farming lands, located south of the ruins of Nitzana.

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May 7, 2011 |
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Nitzana Hillocks (Curves)
A geological wonderland, with smooth
white rock formations, in the western Negev desert.

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May 2, 2011 |
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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.

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Apr 28, 2011 |
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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".
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Apr 12, 2011 |
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Shivta - Ancient
desert city
Impressive ruins of a Nabatean, Roman and
Byzantine city in the Negev desert. A UNESCO world heritage site.

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Mar 31, 2011 |
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Avdat - Ancient desert city
A Nabatean city
on the Incense Route, which became an impressive desert city during
the Roman and Byzantine periods.

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Feb 7, 2011 |
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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".
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Jan 29, 2011 |
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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.

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Jan 25, 2011
(Major Update) |
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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.

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Jan 16, 2011 |
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Euthymius
Monastery
A large walled 5th C monastery
and pilgrimage inn, with huge underground water reservoirs.

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Jan 13, 2011
(Total upgrade) |
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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.

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Dec 29, 2010
(Total upgrade) |
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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.

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Dec 15, 2010 |
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Khirbet Kenes (el-Kanayis)
Ruins of a Byzantine monastery located on a high hill on the east
side of Karmi'el.

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Nov 20, 2010 |
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Nebi Samuel -
Crusaders
This page focuses on the Crusaders period in Nebi Samuel, from their
arrival (1099) to their departure (1187).

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Nov 14, 2010 |
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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".
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Nov 12, 2010 |
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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"
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Nov 4, 2010 |
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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.

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Oct 26, 2010 |
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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.

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(Major update)
Oct 9, 2010 |
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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"
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Oct 2, 2010 |
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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".
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Sep 30, 2010 |
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Kedesh
- Roman City
The ruins of the Roman village is
located on a small hill to the north-east of the ancient Biblical site.

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Sep 22, 2010 |
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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.

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Sep 9, 2010 |
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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.

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Sep 3, 2010 |
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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.

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Aug 19, 2010 |
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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."
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July 29, 2010 |
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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.

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July 3, 2010 |
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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.

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June 22, 2010 |
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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).

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June 17, 2010 |
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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.

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June 13, 2010 |
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Jerusalem Light Show
Amazing
Light & Sound show held in June 2010 in the old city of Jerusalem.

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June 10, 2010 |
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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."
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June 5, 2010
(Major update)
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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.

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May 21, 2010
(5 web pages) |
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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".
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May 11, 2010
(Major update) |
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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"".
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May 6, 2010 |
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Nimrod
Fortress
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.

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Apr 13, 2010 |
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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".
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Mar 11, 2010 |
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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".
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Feb 28, 2010 |
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Roman streets of Jerusalem
This page
describes the ancient streets in the old city of Jerusalem, following the
Madaba street map.

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Feb 27, 2010 |
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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..."
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Feb 25, 2010 |
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Dung
(Ashpoth) Gate
The Ottoman
period gate is located on the south side, and named after the Biblical
gate that was located nearby.

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Feb 17, 2010 |
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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.

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Feb 13, 2010 |
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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.

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Feb 6, 2010 |
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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".
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Jan 28, 2010 |
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Coins from Bethsaida
This web page presents some of the coins
found in the Bethsaida excavations.

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Jan 24, 2010
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Khirbet e-Dikke
Ruins of a late Roman village,
located near the upper Jordan river in the fertile valley of BethSaida (Bettiha).

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Jan 18, 2010 |
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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..."
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Jan 10, 2010 |
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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.

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Jan 1, 2010
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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"
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