Beersheva Travel

Beersheba is the administrative, cultural and industrial capital of the Negev.   Home to the Ben Gurion University of the Negev, a center for science and the humanities, it also contains the internationally recognized Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research.

Beersheba is one of the oldest cities in the world and dates back to the time of Abraham.  After the collapse of the Roman Empire, for centuries Beersheba was deserted and only Bedouin tribes were found here. At the end of the 19th century, the Turkish Empire constructed the new Beersheba in its present location.  On October 31, 1918 the British Army, led by General Allenby, took over the city from the Turkish Army.   During the War of Independence, the Israeli Army released Beersheba from the Egyptian Army.

Ancient Beersheba goes back thousands of years.  Its location on the main trading roads and the availability of water contributed to the importance and development of Beersheba.   Abraham arrived here and settled in the region.   Tal Beersheva (see details below) is located 5 km south east of the present town is evidence to the high abilities of construction of ancient cities. Through the Roman/Byzantine eras, Beersheba was designed to protect the country from the violent tribes of the desert.   The city was not mentioned often in the Christian Church history, but it is known that Christian Pilgrims passed through Beersheba on their way to the Sinai Desert Churches.

The Turkish Era – in 1900, the Turkish built the city in its current location and built government institutes, schools, train station and a main trading streets.  Jews were also allowed to settle in the town and the first family established a wheat grain grinding factory.  During World War I, while the Turkish forces were trying to fight their way to the Suez Canal, Jewish soldiers were recruited and stationed in Beersheba and in the area.

The British Era – the British Army conquered Beersheba in 1917.  In 1929, at the beginning of the tension between the Jews and Arabs, many of the Jewish population of Beersheba left.  In 1948, after the declaration of the State of Israel, the Egyptian Army took over Beersheba and it was their main Command Post until it was taken over by the Israeli Army in "Operation Moses".  The town was resettled after the War.

What to see:

The Old City of Beersheba  – while not very old, it still retains a distinctive difference that sets it apart from the rest of the town.

There are several things to see in the Old City.  You can just wander through the streets, enjoying the desert-style buildings.   Visit the former Governor's House, which was built in 1906 by the Ottoman Government.  It has two floors, the first floor was the Governors Reception Hall and the second floor was his living quarters.  Each floor had a separate entrance.  During 1938 to 1948 it served as a Girls School.  Today it is part of the Negev Museum along with the former Old Mosque.

The Center of the Old City's commercial Area has been converted into a Pedestrian Mall.  The centerpiece is a model of Abraham's Well.  On Fridays the mall is packed with stalls selling arts and crafts.

The Beersheba Shuk (Market) is a series of intersecting covered alleyways where vendors sell their wares.  It is a traditional mid-Eastern working market.   Thursday is "Open Market" day which means anyone can sell there.   There is also a Camel Market in the morning.

Abraham's Well can be found at the foot of the Old City next to Nahal   Beersheva.  The well is mentioned in the Bible and you can see from the grooves on the side how many time ropes have been pulled up and down from this well.

Tel Beersheva National Park – archaeologist have uncovered two-thirds of a settlement from the early Israelite period when a fortified administrative city was built on the Tel (Mound).  This site has importance for the study of biblical-period urban planning.  The meticulously planned waterworks are evidence of tremendous engineering expertise.  A 70 meter well, the deepest in Israel, was also discovered here.  Especially interesting is the reconstructed horned alter, parts of which were found on the site.

Nahal Beersheva – a site was discovered here dating back 6000 years. Inhabitants lived in round or oval subterranean dwellings which were dug into the soft loose soil of the river bank.  Archaeologists believe that the dwellings were inhabited by Nomads, who used them only in the winter.  Why they lived under the earth is not yet clear.  Among the artifacts that were found here were primitive hand-made clay pottery, flint tools as well as beautiful ivory figurines.

Around Beersheba

Beersheba is not located near any beaches or mountain ranges. It is located in a harsh and stony desert, which contains some beautiful canyons and remains of ancient civilizations. Like the rest of Israel, the area around Beersheba contains many well-marked trails. A hike near Beersheba combines harsh and beautiful scenery, ancient ruins, and the possibility of meeting with one of the local Bedouin tribes.

The Israeli Air Force Museum is located in the north-west corner of the base at Hatzerim.  It is an operational base and his home to various training squadrons.   Over one hundred restored and preserved aircraft are on display at the Museum.  The museum contains the history and exploits of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) as well as airplanes that children can climb into.

In the heart of the desert, on the Negev Plateau,  is Neve Midbar – a Spa in the Desert.  The underwater thermal mineral waters contain sulfur, magnesium, bromine, potassium, sodium and calcium.  The spa is on an 8000 square meter site and includes mineral pools, Jacuzzi, wading pool and a children's pool.   A "wet passage' leads from the indoor pools to an outside pool.

Shivta National Park is a Nabatean and Christian City in the heart of the Desert.  It differs from other Nabatean cities in the Negev Desert as it does not sit on a commerce route.  The settlement was not fortified and is considered that it was a large agricultural village.   Since Shivta has no natural water sources, its residents used runoff water.  One of the main attractions in the Park is the Colt House, used by a team of archaeologists in 1993-4 led by H. Colt (son of the famous gun-maker).  Visitors will also enjoy viewing the double pool, where the city's runoff water was collected.