>  Israel Touring Recommendations   >  Top 10 Biblical Sites in Israel

masada

The state of Israel is merely a dot on the globe but is one of the most important places on the planet. In many ways Israel is the cradle of western civilization, and it is also holy for the three major world religions. Monotheism, alphabet, and the bible were all developed here. Furthermore, the land is sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Being so, the archaeological and historical sites in the Holy Land are not just tour attractions. Some are venerated as holy places, while others are viewed as highly significant to world history. Here are our top 10 archaeological sites in Israel.

1. Masada National Park

touring masadaPerhaps Masada is not labeled as a holy site, but many will relate to it as a place of sanctity. Around the turn of the first century, its summit facing the Dead Sea was transformed into a fortified palace by King Herod. Decades later, Jewish rebels clung to their freedom at the site, and when the Romans reached it, they committed suicide. Aside from the wealth of remains, including dramatic finds left by the rebels, Masada symbolizes the Jewish struggle for freedom. Every Israeli is raised on the myth of Masada and the Zionist slogan “Masada will never fall again.”

2. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre

Holy Sepulchre Jerusalem ShutterstockIdentified since the 4th century CE as the site of Jesus’ crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is revered by millions of Christians from all around the globe. The church complex combines building phases from different periods, reflecting its long and complex history. Maintained today by six other Christian denominations, its focal points are the Hill of the Crucifixion (the Golgotha) and the site of Jesus’s resurrection (The tomb of Jesus).

3. The Temple Mount

dome of the rock unsplash 800 x 600Founded about 3000 years ago by King Solomon, the Temple Mount was the place of Israelite worship. The Ark of the Covenant was kept in its holy of holies for several centuries, and animal sacrifice was also practiced at this site in the time of Jesus. Since the 7th century CE, the Temple Mount has been controlled by Islam and was re-branded to commemorate Solomon’s temple and Mohammad’s night journey and compete with Christianity and its shrines. Today, the Temple Mount is open to non-Muslim visitors only a few days a week, at limited hours. Nevertheless, it is a moving experience to appreciate its Muslim monuments, and even more so to track the remains from previous periods.

4. Caesarea

caesarea aerial shutterstock 800 600Founded by King Herod in the First Century BCE, Caesarea was a bustling metropolis in Roman and Byzantine times. Its harbor was the most prominent artificial port at its time and played a vital role in the Crusaders’ times. Today, as a national park, Caesarea’s rich finds are spread over a vast area. They include a restored theatre, two hippodromes, a large bathhouse complex, remains of the port, a synagogue, an aqueduct, and more. Excavations of Herod’s palace also yielded evidence that could be related to Paul’s prison in the city.

5. Israel Museum

Israel Museum archaeology wingAlthough not an archaeological site, no visit to Israel is complete without seeing the highlights of the archaeological wing of this national institution. Some of the most important finds ever made in Israel are on display here, from prehistoric times to the Middle Ages. Most famous are the finds relating to the bible, both Old Testament and New Testament. The Tel Dan Inscription is a fantastic testimony to the Israelite and Judahic kingdoms in the 9th century. Nearby, a silver amulet bearing the priestly blessing is the earliest quote of the biblical script. The museum also exhibits the only evidence ever found of crucifixion, a monumental inscription of Pilate, the judge of Jesus, and the bone box of high-priest Caiaphas. Don’t miss the the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem, especially the Dead Sea Scrolls display at the “Shrine of the Book”.

6. Capernaum

capernaum-unsplashSet along the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum was a small fishing village in Roman times. Expelled from Nazareth in the 30s of the first century, Jesus settled in Capernaum, where he laid the foundations of the Christian faith. Venerated since the 4th century, Capernaum is a significant site both for Jews and Christians. Its rich remains include a church built over the house of Peter and the most grand synagogue ever found in Israel from the Byzantine period. Maintained by the Franciscans, Capernaum is one of Israel’s most famous pilgrimage Christian destinations.

7. City of David

city of david area g shutterstockFounded by King David around the Gihon Spring, the City of David is, in essence, biblical Jerusalem. Excavated by several archaeological expeditions since the 19th century, the City of David yielded some of the most important finds from Canaanite to Byzantine times. Constantly developed by a local organization (ELAD), the city of David presents many archaeological discoveries above the ground below. Take advantage of the walk along Hezekiah’s Tunnel, to the Pool of Siloam, and the hike up the Herodian stepped street to the Western Wall! The site also offers a special audio-visual night show, and an innovative, dynamic model will soon open.

8. Megiddo

megiddoSituated along Israel’s main roads (the ‘Via Maris’), Megiddo was continuously settled in all Canaanite and Israelite periods. The stables and gate, once believed to date to Solomon’s time, are now attributed to the Israelite kings, yet Megiddo still presents the best example of a biblical Israelite city. The site is also highly significant to the Christian World, as it is equated with Armageddon, the site of the final battle at the end of times.

9. Lachish

tel-lachishNestled in the Judean foothills (the Shephelah), Lachish was the second most important city in biblical Judah. Furthermore, in the 19th century, a detailed account of its conquest by Sennacherib was discovered in Nineveh, in today’s Iraq. Excavations at the site uncovered many finds relating to its conquest and destruction by the Assyrians and other periods. With its new visitor center, Tel Lachish is one of the most exciting sites to appreciate local Biblical archaeology.

10. Arad

Set at the edge of the Negev desert, Arad was a significant city in Canaanite times. The Bible records the Israelites failing to conquer the city and being forced to return to the Red Sea, reaching the “Promised Land” from the east. So far, excavations of Tel Arad have yet to yield evidence of the Israelite battle over the site, but archaeologists did uncover significant finds from the Israelite period. In the 8th century BCE, a fort built over the Canaanite city included a one-of-a-kind Judahic temple competing with the one in Jerusalem. The excavations also uncovered an essential archive of letters echoing the fear of Babylonian and Edomite invasions.

A tour of these sites can be integrated into our single-day or multi-day tours of Israel.

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