Twelfth century
Muslim historians described it as a ‘nest of
eagles and the dwelling place of the moon’. It
overlooks the Jordan Valley and meandering Jordan
River, 550 meters below. The most complete
Crusader fortress in Israel sits atop a basalt
plateau and offers a spectacular view of the
valley below and the Gilead Mountains, across the
way. When it was built, the fortress overlooked
the most important crossings on the river,
including Naharayim.
It is known by a number of names. In Hebrew, it
is called Kochav Hayarden (Star of the Jordan),
aptly named for the nearby ancient Jewish village
of Kochav (star). Muslims call it Kaukab al-Hawa
(Star of the Winds), and the Crusaders named it
Belvoir (Fair or Beautiful View). It was built as
a fort within a fort and was surrounded by a (14
meters deep by 20 meters wide) dry moat.
Initially it was an estate that belonged to a
French nobleman, Velos, from Tiberias. He sold it
to the Hospitaller Knights in 1168, and they built
a huge impenetrable fortress, that was completed
in 1173. The fortress withstood all of Salah
al-Din’s (Saladin) attacks and was one of the
primary reasons that Muslims did not manage to
invade the Crusader Kingdom from the east.
Even after the fall of the First Crusader
Kingdom – the Hospitailer Knights sustained the
defense of the fortress. By this time, Muslims had
conquered Jerusalem, Acre and a large fort in
Safed, but Belvoir was still beyond their reach.
It withstood a long siege. A year and half after
the Muslims’ defeat of the Crusaders at the battle
of the Horns of Hittin, Belvoir’s defenders
surrendered on January 5, 1189 and evacuated to
Tyre. Muslim rulers feared the Crusaders would try
to retake the fortress, so in 1217-18 Belvoir was
dismantled.
As you enter the fortress, on the right you
will see a collection of sculptures that form a
sculpture garden. The works are those of Israeli
artist Igael Tumarkin. The ancient fortress and
modern sculptures stand in stark contrast to each
other.
Standing at the edge of the plateau, looking to
the north, you will be able to see the Golan
Heights and Mount Hermon. To the east lie the
Jordan Valley and Gilead Mountains and to the
south the Gilboa and northern part of the Shomron.
Once there were two roads to Kochav Hayarden,
but the road from Moledet is now inaccessible. The
drive is worth it in its own right (so consider
including Kochav Hayarden, either before or after
your visit to Old Gesher). To really benefit from
the drive, you will have to drive up to the fort
and then you can enjoy the view on the drive back
down to the Beit Shean-Tiberias road.
Directions: Kochav Hayarden is located on Route
#717, off Route #90, about 20 kilometers south of
the Sea of Galilee.
04/ 658-1766 TEL
Visiting Hours: April-September: 8:00 AM - 5:00
PM, October-March: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Entry fees: Adults, 16 NIS/pp, Children, 7
NIS/pp
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