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See the Sights I Underground Adventures

Photo: Yaakov Shkolnik Photo: Yaakov Shkolnik

Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park Thousands of rock-cut caves

The Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park is located in the heart of the Judean Shfela, an area rich with soft chalk cliffs. Its ancient inhabitants carved caves into the cliffs that visitors now explore and admire. During the Hellenistic period (62-332 BC) the biblical hill of Maresha was inhabited by Edomites who arrived from the Negev. Though their homes have long disappeared, the caves they carved into the rocks remain till today. Some have pigeon nooks in them, while others served as burial caves and are frescoed with fascinating drawings and markings. Entrance fee applies; parks.org.il

The Western Wall Tunnel, Jerusalem A fascinating stone passageway The architectural magnificence of the Western Wall is most palpable underground. Indeed, under the current Muslim Quarter lie 485m of ancient streets that visitors can today wander through. These streets attest to the engineering feats achieved by King Herod. When Herod expanded the Temple Mount, he damaged the Hasmonaean water channel. Visitors can nowadays walk through right up to the cistern called the Struthion Pool, once part of the moat surrounding the Antonia Fortress, the citadel Herod built at the north-western corner of the Temple Mount. The tunnel is accessible via the Western Wall and there is an entrance fee. Visitors need to book in advance and be accompanied by one of the site’s guides; thekotel.org

Beit She’arim National Park Rock-cut tombs and menorah reliefs

The Beit She’arim necropolis was the most important burial place of the ancient Jewish world. Jews from everywhere in the land were put to rest here, beside the grave of the venerable Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, chief redactor of the Mishnah. The tombs are impressively adorned and carved into them are Jewish symbols such as menorahs, shofars, and Torah arks. Beit She’arim was also a major glassmaking center and in the adjacent museum, visitors can admire an 8.8-ton glass slab discovered on-site. Entrance fee applies; parks.org.il

22 ATMOSPHERE OCTOBER 2022