Israel
Recent Articles
The Yigal Allon Centre
On the shore of the Sea of Galilee, the Yigal Allon Centre brings together regional history, personal remembrance, and education. Established in 1986, it houses the Museum of “Man in the Galilee,” which explores the lives of people who have settled, worked, and built communities in this landscape across generations. The centre is named for […]
The Citadel of Acre
The Citadel of Acre rises above the northern section of the Old City, occupying a strategic position near the landward walls. Although the visible fortress dates primarily from the Ottoman period, it was constructed upon the remains of the medieval compound once occupied by the Knights Hospitaller. The result is a structure containing several distinct […]
Jaffa Clock Tower
The Jaffa Clock Tower stands at the northern end of Yefet Street, near the historic entrance to the old city. Rising above a busy square, the limestone tower recalls a period when Jaffa was developing from an ancient fortified port into a modern commercial center. Jaffa had served as an important Mediterranean port for centuries. […]
The Knights’ Halls and the Crusader City
The Knights’ Halls beneath the Old City of Acre preserve one of the most substantial surviving complexes from the age of the Crusades. Their vaulted chambers belonged to the Knights Hospitaller, one of the religious and military orders that became powerful forces in the Crusader states established along the eastern Mediterranean coast. The Crusades were […]
The Roman Theater
I especially enjoyed visiting Caesarea while we traveled through Israel. Its setting along the Mediterranean and the remains of so many different periods made it possible to experience several layers of history in one place. Caesarea Maritima was developed by Herod the Great between approximately 22 and 10 BCE. He transformed a small coastal settlement […]
Herod’s Promontory Palace
On our visit to Caesarea, we walked among the remains of an ancient city built along the Mediterranean Sea. The setting alone was striking, with the ruins extending toward the water and waves breaking against the exposed stone. One of the most intriguing places we encountered was the remains of a large rectangular pool surrounded […]
Roman Toilets
While exploring the ancient city of Caesarea on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, we encountered a row of worn stone seats built into the remains of a wall. At first, their purpose was not obvious. We were surprised when our guide explained that these were Roman toilets and were part of a public latrine used by the […]
The Grotto of the Annunciation
During our visit to Nazareth, Marty and I entered the Basilica of the Annunciation, one of Christianity’s most important pilgrimage churches. Within the lower level of the basilica is the Grotto of the Annunciation, traditionally believed to be part of Mary’s home and the place where the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. According to the […]
The Assassination Site of Yitzhak Rabin
On our first day in Israel, Marty and I toured several of the historic sites and museums of Tel Aviv. One of the places we visited was the memorial marking the location where Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated on November 4, 1995. That evening, Rabin had addressed a large peace rally in the […]
The Wishing Bridge
During our visit to Old Jaffa, we stopped at the entrance to the Wishing Bridge. The sign describes a local legend: anyone who stands on the bridge, holds the image of their zodiac sign, looks toward the sea, and makes a wish will have that wish come true. The bridge is decorated with twelve bronze […]
A Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee
During our visit to Israel, Marty and I took a boat out onto the Sea of Galilee. Surrounded by hills and stretching quietly beneath the open sky, the water offered a peaceful contrast to the busy cities and crowded historic sites we encountered elsewhere in the country. Despite its name, the Sea of Galilee is […]
The Al-Jazzar Mosque
During our tour of the Old City of Acre, we visited the Al-Jazzar Mosque, one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. Its large green dome and tall minaret rise above Acre’s walls and tightly clustered buildings, making the mosque an unmistakable part of the city’s skyline. The mosque was constructed in 1781 by Ahmad Pasha […]
