| |
Israel Facts & Figures
Holy Land Biblical sites
North Israel
Central Israel
Jerusalem
Southern Israel
Updates
Events in Israel
|
|
Central Israel
The Mediterranean, Plain of Sharon, Judea & Samaria
 |
 |
 |
 |
When planning your Israel tour or Holiday in Israel use the map to get more information of the various Biblical sites throughout the Holy Land, additional information on key cities can be found in the Israel cities and Hotels section. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Abu Ghosh
Here in ancient Kiriat Yearim ,the Ark of the Covenant rested for 20 years before being brought by King David to Jerusalem, 15 miles to the east. The Benedictine Monastery of the Ark recalls the site. The Church of Notre Dame, built in 1142, is one of the most beautiful Crusader structures in Israel.
Visiting Today:
Abu Ghosh is a prosperous Arab town a popular excursion for Jerusalem attracted to its Middle Eastern restaurants. Choral and classical concerts are given regularly in the village churches.
Aphek (Antipatris)
Today know as Afek. The Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant at Aphek (Sam I 4:1-11). Paul brought to Antipatris on his way to Caesarea for trial (Acts 23:31). Was built by Herod in honor of his father Antipatris.
Anathoth
Today known as Anata: birthplace of Jeremiah the prophet (Jer: 1:1).
Ashdod
One of the five Philistine cities. Philip the Evangelist baptized an Ethiopian near here (Acts 8:26-40).
Visiting Today:
Ashdod is Isreal's second largest port. Many cruise-ships stop here for day tours to Jerusalem.
Ashkelon
One of the five philistine cities. King Herod decorated the city with fountains and bath houses. During the Arabic period the development of the city continued. The city was destroyed to its foundations by the Mamelukes in 1270.
Visiting Today:
The modern Mediterranean resort town of Ashkelon is known for its parks and archeological treasures.
Atlit
The Crusader Port of Chateau de Pellerin (1217-1291).
Visiting Today:
The beaches of Atlit are superb, and a fascinating visit is to the British internment camp created after World War II to detain Jewish refugees from the Holocaust seeking entry to Palestine.
Bethel
Meaning, "House of God". Where Jacob dreamed of "Jacob's Ladder" (Genesis28:19). The Ark of The Covenant at Bethel (Genesis 31:13, Judges 21:19, Kings I 13:11; King II 2:2). Today, Bethel is a community of 3500, twenty miles north of Jerusalem.
Bet Sahur
A village between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, site of the Shepherds' Fields of the Nativity story (Luke: 2:8-21).
Betlehem
Translates as "House of Bread" (Hebrew), "House of Meat" (Arabic). Bethlehem was where Isaac's beloved wife, Rachel, died giving birth to Benjamin (Genesis 35:18-19, 48:7). Birthplace of King David and site of his anointment by Samuel (Samuel 1 16:1). Birthplace of Jesus of Nazareth (Matthew 2:1; Luke 2:4). Just south of Bethlehem are the pools of Solomon, that have provided water for Jerusalem for three millennia (Song of Songs 4:12).
Visiting Today:
Today's visitor to Bethlehem need to include the Basilica of the Nativity, the Church of the Nativity, the Chapel of the Milk Grotto, Shepherds' Fields (in nearby Bet Sahur) and Rachel's Tomb.
Caesarea
Built as Caesarea Maritima by King Herod to honor Augustus Caesar, it was capital of the Roman province of Judea during Jesus' day, a vast city complete with stadiums, temples, palaces and a giant port built out into the Mediterranean. Caesarea was home of the first gentile convert, Cornelius, a Roman centurion baptized by Peter (Acts 10). Peter and Paul passed through Caesarea, and Paul was imprisoned here for two years until he was brought to Rome. Paul embarks for Tarsus (Acts 9:30), Philip preaches (Acts 8:40). The city was where Bishop Eusebius- an adviser to Constantine- wrote a history of the Church. Caesarea was rebuilt as a fortress during the Crusader period by King Louis the 9th of France, and later by the Turks.
Visiting Today:
The on-going excavations of the city of Caesarea and (underwater) of the port, are some of the Israel's most impressive. Visit the Roman theater, the hippodrome, the Turkish harbor, the Crusader fortress. Caesarea is the site of Israel's only golf course.
Dothan
Present-day "Dothan". Joseph finds his brothers (Genesis 37:14-17).
Elah (Valley of)
Valley Of Elah: David's contest with Goliath (Samuel I 17). Nearby are the excavations of the Roman-Byzantine city of Bet Guvrin, and Sorek, home of Delilah (Judges 16:4).
Visiting Today:
Unchanged for three thousand years, the brook where David selected the stone to slay Goliath still gurgles. Visit Bet Guvrin's excavations and explore the extra-ordinary stalactite caves at Sorek.
Emmaus
Where the resurrected Jesus met Cleopas and Simon and shared a meal with them (Luke 24:13-35). One of the only Biblical sites whose modern-day location is unclear. It may have been a site adjacent to Latrun, midway between Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, whose Trappist monastery is built atop what is believed to have been home of the good thief crucified with Jesus, or near today's Qubeibe, midway between Jerusalem and Ramallah, site of the Emmaus Church.
Ekron
The Ark of the Covenant is placed on a cart and driven to Bet Shemesh (Samuel I 6:16).
Gerizim (Mount) and Ebal (Mount)
Mount Gerizim-mount Ebal: Israel assembles on Gerizim and Ebal (Joshua 8:33).
A blessing on Gerizim, a curse on Ebal (Deuteronomy 11:29-30).
Gezer
"And Solomon built Gezer" (Kings 19:16-17).
Halhul
At 1,020 meters (3,315 feet), the highest village in the Land of Israel. Site of tombs attributed in the Middle Ages to Gad the Seer and Nathan the Prophet (Chronicles II 11:5-12) and, in modern times, by Muslims, to Jonah.
Hebron - Kiryat Arba
Hebron, one of the four holy cities of Judaism, was the home of Abraham and where he bought the "Cave of Machpelah in the field of Mamre" as a burial site for his family (Genesis 23:1-12; 25:8-10; 35:27-29; 50:12-14). David was anointed King of Israel in Hebron and reigned here seven years until the capture of Jerusalem (Samuel II 5:1-5).
Herod the great built a towering edifice over the cave, which survives to the present day as a mosque and synagogue, shared by Muslims and Jews, who both venerate the tombs of Abraham and Sara, Isaac and Lea, Jacob and Rebecca.
Visiting Today:
Modern-day visitors to Hebron concentrate their visit on the Machpelah Cave and the nearby communities of Kiryat Arba.
Jaffa (Joppa)
Traditionally believed to have been founded by Japheth, son of Noa, Jaffa is one of the oldest towns of Israel. Cedars of Lebanon sent by King Hiram of Tyre and destined for Solomon's Temple were unloaded at Jaffa (Chronicles II 2:15) and Jonah embarked for Tarshish from Jaffa (Jonah 1:3-17). Peter was here, in the home of Simon the tanner where he prophesied the vision of the pure and unpure animals (Acts X 10:5), and where he brought Tabitha back from the dead (Acts 9:36-42).
Visiting Today:
Jaffa is part of the metropolis of Tel-Aviv-Jaffa, center of Israel's largest metropolitan area that is home to some three million Israelis. In Jaffa, visit St. Peter's Church, the House of Simon the tanner and the archeological discoveries in Kedumim Square.
See also: Tel Aviv Hotels.
Jericho
Vies with Damascus as "the oldest city on earth". First town conquered by the returning children of Israel under Joshua (Joshua 4:5-6). Prophets Elijah and Elisha (Kings II 2:18-22). Near Jericho, the Monastery of St. John (Kasr El-Yahud) recalls the site where Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist.
Visiting Today:
Visitors to Jericho visit the surrounding monasteries, Elisha's Church and the archeological tel of ancient Jericho.
Judean Desert
During the Byzantine period, the concept of penitence in the monasteries became very popular, resulting in the construction of several monasteries that operate to this day. The monasteries of St. Theodosius, Mar Saba, St. George's in Wadi Kelt and the Qarantel monastery in the area of Jericho, can all be seen, and the "modern" Inn of the Good Samaritan between Jericho and Jerusalem (Luke 10; 30-37) can be visited.
Lod-Lydda
It was here that Peter healed Aeneas. Birthplace of St. George (4th century).
Visiting Today:
St. George's Church and the tomb of St. George (Greek Orthodox). Lod Airport - now Ben-Gurion International Airport is Israel's chief point of entry.
Ramleh
Ramleh's Catholic church is dedicated to Joseph of Aramathea and Nicodemus, who arranged for the burial of Jesus following the crucifixion (John 19;38-39).
Visiting Today:
See the Hospice of Nicodemus, the 14th century Tower of Ramleh, the white Mosque and the Pool of St. Helena.
Samaria - Sebastiye
Founded as capital of Israel by King Omri in 876 BCE (Kings I 16:23-25). Town taken by the Assyrians (King's II 17:5-6). The prophet, Micah, rejoiced in the Sebastiye's impending destruction (Micah 1:6). Philip preaches in the city (Acts 8:5). Peter and John come to the city (Acts 8:14). Sebastiye may have been the site of John the Baptist's execution and Salome's dance (other possibilities include Herodion in Judea, and Macchaerus in modern-day Jordan.
Visiting Today:
The remains of the giant, 2nd century city of Sebastiye include the Roman Forum, theater, acropolis and Temple of Augustus. The Byzantine Church of John the Baptist, and nearby Mosque of Nabi Yaha (Tomb of John the Baptist) support the theory that Sebastiye was the place of John the Baptist's murder.
Sharon (Plain & Valley of Ayalon)
The fertile valley of Sharon (Isaiah: 35:2).
Visiting Today:
The drive from Tel-Aviv and Ben-Gurion Airport to Jerusalem passes through the Plain of Sharon and the Valley of Ayalon, where Joshua bade the sun stand still (Joshua 10:12-13).
Shechem
Present-day Nablus originally Roman Neapolis or Naples, site of the Tomb of Joseph. Abraham passes through, coming from Ur (Genesis 12:6). Agreement between the sons of Jacob and Shechem (Genesis 12: 6-7). Jacob buys a "parcel of land" at Jacob's Well (Genesis 33:19). Joshua renews the Covenant with God (Joshua 24). Origin of the Samaritans (Kings II 17: 24-41). Jesus and the Samaritan women at Jacob's Well (John 4:7-11).
Visiting Today:
See the Canaanite city walls, El Birith Temple (where Joshua renewed the Covenant), Jacob's Well, the Crusader Church and the Tomb of Joseph.
Yavne (Libneh)
Trading post on the Roman's Via Maris. Center of Jewish learning after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70CE.
|
