In 1191 BC, a decisive battle was fought at
the very place that today is the latest addition to
Israel's National Park System. For 18 successive
centuries it was inhabited. The place is known as,
Apollonia, or Tel Arsuf. In 1191 the Crusaders
triumphant win at this spot, established their reign in
the Holy- Land for another 100 years. The park is
conveniently located on the coast, just a 15- minute
drive from Tel Aviv and less than five minutes from
Herzeliya Pituach, between two other ancient ports,
Jaffa and Caesarea.
This is not the only archeological site in
Israel that is situated on the coast. However, planners
of this park have managed to work around existing ruins
and use the natural landscape to create a truly unique
experience.
The city of Apollonia and its fort were
situated on the cliffs of the Sharon plain, overlooking
the Mediterranean Sea. On the way to view the fort,
visitors to the park walk along a path that literally
hugs the edge of the cliff. The path offers a
spectacular view of the coast.
Phoenicians established the first settlement
in the sixth century and people settled in this area
2,500 years ago. The Phoenicians were descendants of the
early Canaanites (who inhabited the coast of modern-day
Lebanon), and the Sea People who invaded Lebanon. During
their day they were considered to be most knowledgeable
in maritime technology and astronomy, which enabled them
to trade various commodities from far away places. Like
at Dor (further up the coast), the local inhabitants
used the sea to make Tyrian purple, a precious dye used
by royalty. It was extracted from mollusks, which were
abundant along the coast.
The Phoenicians named the settlement along
the coastal plain Arshof, (for Resheph, their War and
Thunder god). In the Hellenistic period the city was
re-named Apollonia, as the Greeks identified Resheph
with Apollo.
During the Roman era (First - Third centuries
BC) the settlement developed into a real city and
reached its height during the Byzantine era. In the
Fifth and Sixth centuries the city was named Sozousa and
served as the Episcopal See of Palaestina prima.
During this time it served as the primary port city of
the Southern Sharon – and was an unfortified city. The
residents utilized underground (rain) water reservoirs
for their water supply and the city had an elaborate
glass making industry, as well as wine and olive
presses.
In 640 CE the Muslims gained control of the
city and erected an outer wall around a portion of the
city. The city's size decreased significantly, from
70acres/280 dunam to 22.5 acres/90 dunam. By 1099, the
Crusaders had conquered Jerusalem and deployed to Arsuf,
but failed to capture it.
Baldwin I succeeded in conquering the city,
in the spring of 1101 – with the Genoese fleet. Once
again the city's name was changed, this time Arsour and
a large castle was built in the northern section of the
city. In 1265 the Mamluk sultan Baybars, conquered the
city and made the Crusaders raze the city and the fort,
which lay in ruins until the excavations began in
1996.
Directions: From Tel Aviv take Route # 2 north, until the Kfar Shmaryahu exit. At the off ramp, stay to your left and follow the brown signs Tel Arsuf.
Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entry fees: (at this writing, free).
Note: There is currently no phone on site
