Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park
Bet Guvrin-Maresha National Park is approximately 5,000 dunams large and is located on the beautiful hills of the Judean Lowlands. The hills are made of chalk that is overlaid with harder nari rock. For centuries people have cut away at the rock, making quarries, burial caves, storerooms, industrial facilities, hideouts and dovecotes. Hundreds of caves were dug at Bet Guvrin resulting in incredibly complex subterranean networks.
Tel Maresha is situated at a high point in the park and it is the highest city in the Judean lowlands, reaching it’s height in the Hellenistic period. John Hyrcanus, the Hasmonean king conquered the city in the second century BCE and forced the inhabitants to convert. In the time of the Romans, the inhabitants abandoned the city and built Bet Guvrin nearby and Maresha was transformed into the capital of western Idumea. The Arab village of Beit Jubrin that was established on it’s ruin was abandoned during the War of Independence in 1948.
The park can be toured on foot or by car.
How to get there: The park is located off the Bet Shemesh-Kiryat Gat road, opposite Kibbutz Bet Guvrin.
Cost: Adult 27 NIS, Child 14 NIS, Senior 50% Discount
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Information
phone: 08-681-2957/08-681-1020
Open Hours: April-September 08:00-17:00, October-March 08:00-16:00- last entry one hour before closing
Categories : Attractions , Outside of Jerusalem
Hello reader. My name is Charlotte Noris and I am sure that you will definitely enjoy my blog. Do you know why? All because on the pages you will see bright and colorful photos, as well as useful information. My husband and I are freelancers, so we can travel at any time of the year.
For myself, I most often plan tours in advance, but it also happens that the trip turns out to be spontaneous when I see an interesting place and a nice price. At the age of 35, I have visited more than 30 countries and do not plan to stop there. I want to visit all continents and the most secret corners of our planet.
a must for all!
I am a frequent visitor to Israel but this trip was my first time we visited Bet Guvrin- it is simply stunning and the walk from place to place gorgeous- absolute must for all visitors and locals