Page 37 - Holyland Magazine - 2025 Edition
P. 37

Tel Dan. Below: Bet Shearim.
                                                                                                    Photos: Manu Grinspan

to be buried here in the 3rd century CE, it       Mount Gilboa, the Philistines displayed his body  Practical Travel Information
became the most prestigious burial place in       on the walls of Beit She'an (1 Samuel 31). The    The best seasons to explore northern Israel are
the Jewish world.                                 multi-layered tel (archaeological mound) reveals  spring (March–May) and autumn (September–
                                                  evidence of Egyptian, Canaanite, Israelite,       November), when mild weather and lush
Visitors can explore dozens of burial caves       Greek, and Roman occupation, illustrating the     landscapes make for comfortable travel.
with their ornate sarcophagi (stone coffins),     strategic importance of this junction between
intricate decorations, and inscriptions in        the Jezreel and Jordan Valleys.                   The Israel Nature and Parks Authority offers
Hebrew, Aramaic, Palmyrene, and Greek.                                                              multi-site passes, providing excellent value
The catacombs' scale and artistic quality         Megiddo (Armageddon)                              for those planning to visit multiple national
reflect the vibrant Jewish culture that           Commanding the ancient trade route                parks and archaeological sites.
flourished here despite Roman rule. UNESCO        connecting Egypt with Mesopotamia, Megiddo        Independent travelers will find the Israel
recognized this unique heritage by declaring      witnessed countless decisive battles over three   Pass a smart choice, combining park access
Beit She'arim a World Heritage Site in 2015.      millennia. Its strategic importance explains why  with public transportation benefits.
                                                  this site is mentioned numerous times in the
Crossroads of Empires: Beit She'an and            Bible and why Revelation 16:16 identifies it as   Northern Israel’s highlights are easily
Megiddo                                           Armageddon - location of history's final battle.  reached from major hubs like Tiberias,
                                                                                                    Nazareth, and Haifa, whether by rental car,
Beit She'an                                       Visitors can explore layer upon layer of
Perhaps Israel's most impressive Roman-           civilizations, from Canaanite temples to King     ✦group tours, or local buses.
Byzantine city, Beit She'an stuns visitors with   Solomon's gates and stables (according to one
its scale and preservation. The monumental        interpretation) and impressive water systems.
colonnaded streets, massive theater seating       The highlight for many is the ingenious water
thousands, elaborate bathhouse complex,           tunnel carved through bedrock to secure the
and public buildings create an immersive          city's supply during sieges. From Megiddo's
experience of life under Roman and                summit, the sweeping views across the fertile
Byzantine rule.                                   Jezreel Valley help visitors appreciate why
                                                  this location remained crucial throughout
The site holds biblical significance as well.     ancient history.
Following their victory over King Saul at nearby

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