Tel Ashkelon National Park
nature reserve in Israel
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Tel Ashkelon National Park, an extraordinary archaeological wonderland situated on the picturesque Mediterranean coast of southern Israel. As we stand at the entrance of this magnificent site, located strategically…
Listen in the app2The Great Ramparts and Defensive Walls
As we begin our physical ascent into the heart of the ancient city, our first major encounter is with the staggering fortification systems that once enveloped Ashkelon. You are currently looking at the remains of defensive…
Listen in the app3The World's Oldest Arched Gate
We have now arrived at what is undeniably the crown jewel of Tel Ashkelon National Park, and a structure of immense global architectural significance. Before you stands the ancient Canaanite Gate, dating back to approximately…
Listen in the app4The Sanctuary of the Silver Calf
Stepping just outside the perimeter of the great arched gate, we arrive at the site of a remarkable and somewhat intimate archaeological discovery. In the ancient world, the entrance to a city was not merely a military checkpoint…
Listen in the app5The Roman Basilica and Bouleuterion
Leaving the Bronze Age behind, we now walk forward in time and deeper into the park to arrive at the spectacular ruins of the Roman Basilica. It is crucial to understand that in the architectural vocabulary of the Roman Empire, a…
Listen in the app6The Philistine Necropolis and Heritage
We now transition to an area that holds the key to one of the most enduring mysteries of the biblical world: the story of the Philistines. For centuries, historians and theologians heavily debated the true origins of the…
Listen in the app7Santa Maria Viridis Church
Navigating toward the eastern side of the park, rising above the general level of the ruins, we encounter the evocative remains of a Byzantine era sanctuary. This is the Church of Santa Maria Viridis, or Saint Mary of the Green. …
Listen in the app8The Coastal Cliff and Sea Wall
For our final designated stop before concluding our tour, we walk westward to the very edge of the archaeological mound, where the ancient city abruptly meets the immense expanse of the Mediterranean Sea. This dramatic coastal…
Listen in the app9Closing
As our journey through the strata of Tel Ashkelon National Park comes to a close, it is worth taking a moment to simply stand still and absorb the monumental weight of the history that surrounds us. We have walked in the…
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What is Tel Ashkelon National Park?
Tel Ashkelon National Park is a place with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Activity |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 9 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 31.6617, 34.5497 |
| Last updated |