Megiddo and the Ancient Galilee
Israel’s Galilee region contains many historical and archaeological relics. Israel was conquered many times and also occupied by many rulers and regimes. This small but highly contested holy land bears scars and holds assets from many ages, you can see some examples of this at Megiddo.
The Hill of Megiddo is an ancient hill in Israel’s Jezreel valley. The hill of Megiddo, ‘Tel Megiddo’ in Hebrew, separates the Carmel and Samaria mountain ranges from those of Galilee, across the plain of Esdraelon from Nazareth. This lower Galilee site is highly strategic from a military point of view, giving its occupants great power over the Way of the Sea, as the Egyptians called this route. Via Maris, the sea way, was the main route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Megiddo is currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Israel VIP offers you the finest tours of this historical junction.
Many nations resided and ruled on this hilltop. The excavations at Megiddo shed light on life in ancient times. Megiddo was a Canaanite city, an Egyptian stronghold, and a Chariot City in Biblical times. Assyrian and Persian rulers also conquered and utilized this strategic location. King Solomon ruled Megiddo in the 10th century BCE, and the remains of Solomon’s Gate and his stables still exist here today. Valuable Canaanite ivory jewels were found at the Ivory Palace built here, and the remains of an Iron Age water system also still exist. The museum at Megiddo provides model structures and audiovisual aids to demonstrate the lifestyles of these ancient civilizations.
The Greek word for this historical, archaeological and military site, is Armageddon. Historians believe that more battles were fought at this location than anywhere else on earth. Christians believe that the end of the world will occur at Megiddo, the site of the Final Battle, as specified in the Book of Revelation.
Jewish History in the Galilee
A gem of Jewish history resides at Beit Shearim, the Necropolis of the Talmudic period. The city dates back to the 9th and the 3rd centuries BCE, lived in during Persian and Hellenistic times. However, the city was especially prosperous as a Jewish settlement during Roman times. The Jews were expelled from Jerusalem in the 2nd century of the Christian Era, and established several alternative communities. Beit Shearim served as a Jewish burial ground when Jews could no longer be buried on the Mount of Olives. Beit Shearim was the home of the Sanhedrim, the Jewish high court, and Rabbi Judah Ha Nasi, who compiled the Mishnah, was buried at this famous burial spot.
Zippori is another Biblical capital that should not be missed. The Sanhedrin resided here in the 3rd century, when Zippori was a central site of religious life in Israel. In addition to the beautiful mosaic floors, Zippori contains ritual baths, churches, Roman and Jewish quarters, and relics from the pluralistic time when Jews and pagan populations lived in harmony.
Relics of Ancient Nations
Jews lived in the Galilee in ancient times, as well as other nations that populated the north. Beit Shean is the home to many ancient sites including but not limited to: archaeological excavations of Roman and Byzantine towns, the Synagogue at Beit Alpha from the Byzantine era, the Ein Harod museum which testifies to an early settlement period on Mount Gilboa, and the hapless site where the first king of Israel, King Saul, was defeated by the Philistines. Another mountain of interest is Mount Tavor, the location of the Transfiguration, where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Jezreel Valley.
Israel VIP offers you a wonderful tour of the Galilee! You can incorporate several day trips in Israel, and also visit two of its most famous cities, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Our services include private car tours, airport transportation and VIP Ben Gurion airport services for crossing the land borders in the country.
Israel VIP custom tours allow you to pick and choose the sites you want to visit, and we will do the rest of the planning to your exact desires.
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