Ashdod-Yam Mediaval Fort

ashdod yam

Set in the sandy shoreline in southern Israel, the Umayyad established Ashdod-Yam to protect the southern coastal plain of “Jund Philistine” against Byzantine fleets. Known in Arabic as “Qal’at el-Mina,” Ashdod-Yam was used up to the Mamluk period in the 14th century. Excavated, conserved, and developed, today, Ashdod-Yam is a popular destination among the locals of the neighboring modern city of Ashdod.

History and Archaeology of Ashdod-Yam

Ashdod-Yam was founded in the 8th century by the Ummayads as part of a coastal defense system (“Ribat”). It was designed to hold a possible Byzantine assault from the sea and warn other sea forts. Named “Qal’at el-Mina” (“Fort of the port”) eventually an earthquake caused its destruction. However, in the 12th century, the Crusaders restored it and named it “Castellum Beroart.” It was in use up to the 13th century and then abandoned.

Excavations at the site uncovered remains of the Umayyad to Crusader periods, as well as sporadic evidence from Philistine and Byzantine times.

Did the Ark reside in Ashdod-Yam?

The Bible labels Ashdod as one of the main cities of the Philistines, the bitter enemy of the Israelites. According to 1 Samuel 6, after defeating the Israelites at “Even Ha’ezer,” the Philistines confiscated the Ark of the Covenant and held it in Ashdod’s main temple. However, after causing a plague, it was sent to other Philistine cities and eventually returned to the Israelites. Philistine Ashdod was identified at “Isdud,” an Arab village 3 miles southeast of Ashdod-Yam. Excavations at the site uncovered remains from Philistine times but not of its main temple. Perhaps Dagon’s temple was in the city’s port?

Touring Ashdod-Yam

Following its excavations, Israel’s ministry of tourism and the municipality of Ashdod initiated a conservation and development project to open the site to public visits.Completed in 2020, Ashdod-Yam is open every day from 9:00 to 22:00, free of charge. It is at the southern end of the modern city of Ashdod and has a paved parking lot next to it.