Gamla

Welcome to the extraordinary landscape of the Golan Heights and to one of the most poignant archaeological sites in the entire region, the ancient city of Gamla. As a historian, I am deeply moved every time I stand before this…

We begin our exploration at the edge of the high plateau, looking out over the magnificent gorge from the Vulture Observation Deck. Breathe in the crisp air of the Golan Heights. …

As we arrive at the eastern boundary of the ancient city, we are standing face to face with the massive, partially restored defensive wall of Gamla. Take a moment to run your hands along the rough, dark basalt stones. …

Continuing our descent along the ancient fortification line, we arrive at the scattered, massive basalt blocks of the Round Tower. This structure once stood as a proud sentinel over the steep approach to the city, but today it…

A short walk from the ruined tower brings us to the spiritual heart of ancient Gamla: the first-century synagogue. Stepping into this rectangular space, you are entering one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in…

Adjacent to the great synagogue, we step into the intimate, everyday spaces of the city, beginning with this deeply recessed stone chamber. This is the Mikveh, the Jewish ritual bath. …

We now approach the edge of the northwestern slope, the site of the final, horrifying climax of the battle of Gamla. As you look down the dizzying, sheer drop into the deep ravine below, the true horror of the city's last moments…

Leaving the ruins of the first-century city behind, we now transition to the secondary path of the nature reserve, known as the Red Trail. This route takes us away from the heavy sorrow of the Roman era and leads us far deeper…

Our final destination along the Red Trail brings us to a spectacle of pure natural power and beauty: the Gamla Waterfall Lookout. After immersing ourselves in the heavy, tragic history of the ruined city and the ancient silence…

As we conclude our journey and make our way back to the visitor center, the emotional and historical weight of Gamla lingers in the air. We have traversed a landscape defined by extremes. …