Bet Shean Travel

The new Bet She'an was founded in 1949, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel.   Bet She'an lies about 120 meters below sea level and is approximately 60 km south of Tiberias.

Bet Shean dates back to the Chalcolithic era (4th century BCE) when the town was an important stop for caravans and as a center of Egyptian rule. Excavations have uncovered a series of Temples build by the Egyptians.   It later became a Canaanite city and during the time of Solomon became an Israelite city.

In 749, the city was destroyed by an immense earthquake and archaeologists are still uncovering the remains of at least 18 levels of ancient civilizations.
Excavations in Bet She'an have uncovered the remains of a Canaanite city, a Hellenistic city and a Roman Byzantine City. During its Hellenistic period, the city was the capital of the 10 Greek Cities known collectively as the Decapolis. The city was predominantly Christian until the Arabs conquered it in the 7th century and restored its ancient name. The last Arab settlement of the town occurred with its conquest by the Egyptians in 1830.
In 1918, Bet She'an was captured by British Forces. During the 1936-39 Arab riots, it became a headquarters for Arab guerillas attacking Jewish Villages.  During the War of Independence, Bet She'an fell to Israeli forces who found it deserted by its inhabitants.

Beit She'an National Park houses some of Israel's most spectacular archaeological discoveries.  The site features a large amphitheater, with a capacity of about 7,000.  The Theater was building around the year 2000 and has a stone stage and was used for dramatic productions.  Also discovered;  a Byzantine period street with basalt stones, a  Byzantine bath house, a pottery workshop, a basilica, Roman Temple and much more.  It was on the walls of Beit She'an that the Philistines hanged the bodies of King Saul and his sons after their crushing defeat on Mt. Gilboa.

Shean Nights - join the magical night tour that will take you through a multi-sensory presentation of life in ancient Bet-Shean Scythopolis.

Outside Bet She'an, beyond Mt. Gilboa, is Kibbutz Hefzibah.  The Beit Alfa Synagogue National Park can be found on the Kibbutz.  The Synagogue was constructed in the 5th century CE. It has a courtyard, entryway, a large rectangular room, a second floor balcony and an additional room.   Two inscriptions were found on the entryway floor – the Aramaic inscription confirms that the mosaic was made at the time of Justin and the Greek inscription is in memory of the artists who made the Mosaic.  The most important discovery is the mosaic floor in the central room.  Each of its three panels depicts a scene – the Holy Ark, the Zodiac and the story of the sacrifice of Isaac.   The zodiac has the names of the twelve signs in Hebrew. Visitors can also watch a film about life in the ancient village and the making of the mosaic floor.

Near Bet Alpha is Kibbutz Nir David where an exact replica of the first Stockade and Tower Settlement can be found.  The site is located in the heart of Gan Hashlosha (Sachne) National Park.  It is an exact reconstruction of the courtyard of Tel Amal, the first of the Tower and Stockade settlements which were set up overnight in the pre-State of Israel period to forestall Arab attacks and British opposition.  The site tells the story of those who established the settlement and the Bet She'an Valley.  Visitors can see the settlers' lifestyle. The site is surrounded by the natural pools and lawns of Sachne.

The Gan Hashlosha National Park (Sachne) – The Amal River runs through the length of the Park.  Since its water is 28 degrees centigrade – summer and winter – visitors can swim in the river year-round.  A water-powered flour mill was reconstructed and operates for pleasure rather than profit.  The building houses a collection of old agricultural implements.  The Museum of Regional and Mediterranean Archaeology is also located in the park and has a rare collection of Greek tools as well as a display of findings from the Beit She'an Valley, Iran and Egypt.

Just outside the Gan Hashlosha National Park is the Gan Garoo Park which is a beautifully landscaped park featuring a variety of animals and plants – all of which are native to Australia.  The four-acre park provides a taste of Australia's wildlife and has over seven types of kangaroos and an assortment of cockatoo, flying foxes, laughing kookaburra, cassowary, wallaby and emu to name just a few.  Different types of eucalyptus trees and other plants can be found in the grounds.  The Park is recognized by the Australian Wildlife Protection Authority and in addition to the different flora and fauna there is a large maze in the grounds.

Located near Bet She'an is Kibbutz Ein Harod which was founded in 1921 by 35 young Israeli pioneers.  There are several attractions within the Kibbutz including an Art Museum, a Petting Zoo.   The Art Museum was built in 1948 and is the first building in Israel designed as a Museum.  The Museum's permanent collection has over 1000 Judaica items and is the largest museum in the North of Israel.

Located 15 km north of Bet She'an is the Cochav Hayarden National Park which is on the eastern section of the Yissahr Ridge overlooking the Jordan Valley.  The builders of the fortress called it Belvoir because of its wonderful view.   The Crusader Fortress was built in 1140.  When the Crusaders originally settled the ridge, they established a fortified agricultural farm here.  In 1168, the Order of Hospitalers purchased the land and turned it into one of the most important Crusader Fortresses in Israel.  The fortress withstood all Saladin's attempts to seize it (1187-89) and only after a year and half long siege, when all the land had been captured, did the defenders consent to sign the surrender agreement.  The fortress is the only excavated Crusader-period fortress in Israel.  South of the fortress is a sculpture garden with works by Israeli artist Igael Tumarkin.

Between Bet She'an and Afula is the Harod Spring National Park located on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.  The clear water flows in a brook through the park enroute to its final destination – the Jezreel Valley Farms.   The Park also has a very large swimming pool.  During February to April a multitude of wildflowers and the famed purplish Gilboa Iris can be found on Mount Gilboa.

Bet She'an International Bird Watching Center of the Jordan Valley is located at Kibbutz Kfar Ruppin situated near to Beit She'an.  It is ideally located near all the excellent birding sites in northern Israel.  The location combined with its mild climate offers great year round bird watching opportunities.  The Jordan Valley hosts an almost continual flux of migrating birds.    The main seasons are March to May and again from September to November.

Visitors arriving by land from Jordan can cross at the Sheikh Hussein Bridge which is located near Bet She'an.  The border crossing is open daily except for certain religious holidays.