MOUNT ARBEL - A STUNNING VIEW OVER GALILEE AND THE GOLAN

Mount Arbel Reserve is located in the Lower Galilee near Moshav Arbel. From the powerful mountain cliff, there is a view of the Sea of Galilee and on days of good visibility, you can also see Mount Hermon.

Anyone who has toured Mount Arbel can attest to how powerful the intensity of nature is felt from the cliff's edge.
Above the Sea of Galilee, two impressive and beautiful historical sites are located next to each other. First, a massive and decisive battle between the Crusaders and Saladin's army took place inside the crater of a volcano. Second, the epicenter of the revolt against Herod took place on a breathtaking cliff. Indeed, it's difficult to imagine how many people fought in places where the landscape obscures almost everything else.

BATTLE OF HATTIE ON MOUNT ARBEL

The name of this extinct volcano is derived from two peaks that resemble horns. It is worthwhile to try to find its crater and be impressed by the view from it, which includes the Galilee, the Sea of Galilee, the Golan Heights, and Gilad. On July 4, 1187, one of the decisive battles for the Crusader kingdom on the island took place in the surrounding fields, between the Crusader army and Saladin's army.

The Crusader army arrived from the west, from Zipporis, with its fighters all dressed in the best European gear - heavy iron armor. The Crusader warriors could hardly breathe inside this shell in the terrible heat that day, and their horses barely moved. The Muslim army, on the other hand, arrived from the east, from a plantation area, dressed for the weather - light and easy-to-move clothing. In the battle that took place there, the Crusaders, who were unprepared for the terrain and weather, were victorious, and most of them attempted to reach the top of the mountain, where they surrendered to Saladin's fighters. After nearly 200 years, the Crusader kingdom came to an end.

There are remnants of ancient man's settlement at the top of Arbel Mountain. The eastern hyacinth and the yellow rattlesnake, a rare plant in the area, are currently blooming in its head.

TOMB OF PROPHET SHUAIB ON MOUNT ARBEL

The Druze name for Jethro Moses' nephew is Nabi Shuaib. According to medieval tradition, he is buried in the Talmud-mentioned village of Hittin (Hatya). According to the same legend, Jethro was the first foreigner to join the Israelites. Stories about Jethro, his wisdom, and his devotion to religion appear in the Qur'an, and he is revered as a saint in Judaism, Islam, and among the Druze, who regard him as the greatest of the prophets. The Druze were granted the right to keep the site during the administration of Israel's second president, Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, and the Allenby (Prophet) Shuaib holiday has been celebrated every year on April 24-27 since then. The structure itself is impressive, as evidenced by the image.

THE SETTLEMENT OF MOUNT ARBEL IN BIBLICAL TIMES

Arbel is one of the oldest settlements in Israel, and it is mentioned in the Bible for the first time: "Like a robber of the house of Arbel on a day of war" (Book of Hoshea, 10:14). Arbel was one of the settlements that rebelled against the Greeks during the Second Temple period: During the rebellion against Herod, when he came to power in 40 BC, Jewish rebels were fortified on the cliff and thus fought against Herod's army (Antiquities, 17:16, 16) The Jewish Wars, I, 17). The family of Jesus, one of the priests' families, moved to the settlement shortly after the destruction of the Jewish Temple. Arbel is now a moshav, with residents earning a living through agriculture and tourism.

THE SYNAGOGUE OF MOUNT ARBEL

Look for the ancient synagogue on the northern outskirts of the settlement, on the edge of the cliff that descends to the Arbel River. Arbel Synagogue was constructed in the third century AD. The synagogue's structure was a basilica (a nave and two citadels), two stories high, and about 15 meters tall. The synagogue's entrance was from the east, and its opening was made entirely of stone. The mosaic floor of the synagogue was constructed. The site has since been demolished and abandoned. 

MOUNT ARBEL OBSERVATION POINT

For those who have chosen to split the route, the second route begins at this point at the top of Mount Arbel. Arbel is one of Israel's most beautiful mountains. It combines a sharp cliff 400 meters above the Sea of Galilee (about 200 meters above sea level), hidden caves, and a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. We'll look north and see the Ginosar Valley, the north of the Sea of Galilee, the Meron and Safed mountains, the Golan Heights, and Mount Hermon.

Sergeant Roi Dror, an Israeli combat unit fighter, was killed near this point during training on June 18, 2002. In his honor, his family and friends erected a new lookout, from which a new path descends toward the Labor Battalion parking lot (named after Joseph Trumpeldor), on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Hikers in this area have the option of walking the new trail or continuing on the red trail, which exits the carob observation and descends to the bottom of the cliff while passing through the Arbel Fortress. Here, I recommend the red trail, which winds through this one-of-a-kind fortress. During the descent, use the pegs embedded in the rock as well as the cables strung along the rocks. Depending on the season, the walk will be accompanied by caramel, cyclamen, hyacinth, and colorful flowers. Following the descent, we will continue on the red trail east to the fort.

THE FORTRESS OF MOUNT ARBEL

On the Arbel cliff, there are numerous caves, some natural and some carved by man over time. Some of the caves were converted into fortifications during the Second Temple period, with link tunnels, passages, and defensive walls built. Some of the caves were plastered and turned into reservoirs for water. The fortress was constructed on three levels. The combination of natural caves on the cliff, along with construction and a link between the caves, resulted in a strong fortress hewn into the cliff, with access roads limited and controllable by the fortified people.

Herod's army and the zealots who fortified the fort fought a famous battle for control of the fort. Herod's army attempted to conquer the fortress in a variety of ways. The last successful one is described in Josephus Flavius' book The Jewish Wars. Herod, according to his story, ordered his soldiers to be chained from the top of the cliff to the fortress's entrance in baskets tied with ropes. The fortress is part of the ruins of Ali a-fortress, Din's which was built in the 17th century. This fortress is built on the ruins of an ancient fortress.

CONCLUSION

Touring Galilee is one of the best things to do in Israel because the region has so much to offer in terms of history and landscape. Touring Mount Arbel will transport you back to the region's famous battles and stories while also providing you with a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee, so what are you waiting for? Call me today to book your tour to Galilee with a licensed tour guide.