Favorite Archeological Sites in Israel
April 9th 2018
Israel is one of the oldest continuously inhabited countries in the world. With such a wealth of history dating back millennia, it’s no surprise there are some amazing archeological sites throughout the country. Anywhere you go, you’ll never be far away from a fascinating bit of history.
Our favorite archeological sites in Israel feature places renowned for both their ancient history and their geographically diverse features. Here are some historically significant places we love to take our guests when they visit the Holy Land.
Western Wall Tunnels
When we picture the Western Wall, it’s easy to image the famous prayer wall where people gather to pray, in the Western Wall Plaza. Yet there’s a lot more to the wall than just this well-known section. There are 485 more meters accessible only via tunnels.
The Western Wall Tunnels run along the full length of the Western Wall. Tours of the tunnels allow visitors to see and touch the original stones from the Second Temple. The subterranean spaces contain a wide variety of amazing archaeological finds from more than 2000 years ago including stone arches, an ancient water aqueduct, and the remains of a Herodian road.
City of King David
The City of King David is the site of the first settlement that would later grow into the city of Jerusalem. Over 3000 years ago, King David established a unifying capital on top of a hill. His son, King Solomon, would then go on to build the First Temple nearby, on top of Mount Moriah (the Temple Mount).
Today you can enjoy a guided tour of the ancient site, which is located near the southern city walls of Jerusalem’s Old City. The main attractions include fascinating archaeological excavations and biblical finds from both First and Second Temple Jerusalem.
Beit Guvrin National Park
The Beit Guvrin National Park is located a few miles from the central Israeli city of Kiryat Gat. The park covers approximately 1,250 acres and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2014. It’s not hard to see why.
The park is home to the painted Sidonian burial caves, where the ancient inhabitants of Beit Guvrin were laid to rest. Elsewhere in the sprawling park, there are around 800 bell-shaped caves which are connected through a network of underground passageways. These were used as storerooms, hideouts, quarries, and cisterns, among other things. There are also the remains of a Roman amphitheater.
Caesarea National Park
The Caesarea Nation Park is located on Israel’s Mediterranean Coast, between the cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa. The national park is one of the most impressive archeological sites in the country thanks to the amazing restoration work that has been completed on the ancient harbor.
The city and harbor of Caesarea were built by King Herod and saw numerous waves of people come and go over the centuries. All this fascinating history is documented in museums on the site which also features a stunningly restored Roman amphitheater and aqueduct.
Katzrin Talmudic Village
The ancient Katzrin Talmudic Village is situated in the far north of the country in the Golan Heights. It’s an open-air museum located on the outskirts of the modern Katzrin, which is the capital of the Golan and also its largest city. The aim of the museum is to give visitors a glimpse into what life was like during the Talmudic period. There are workshops showing the ancient agricultural and manufacturing processes.
The actual remains of the ancient village are combined with carefully reconstructed architecture, including the interiors of homes. There’s also a wonderfully preserved synagogue from the 6th century. The village contains beautiful rest spots and plenty of fig trees and grape vines.
