Horvat ‘Ethri

Although online for some time, Horvat ‘Ethri has been updated with an introduction and new VR movies. Horvat ‘Ethri is a small Judean village in the upper Shephelah that presents a good picture of Judean life from the period of the two Judean revolts. Hidden beneath the typical courtyard-style houses are caverns cut into the bedrock that were used as hiding places during the revolts. The site also includes a public building that has been interpreted as an early example of a synagogue.

Tiberias

Tiberias was established by Herod Antipas and named after his patron Tiberius around 19 CE. From that time, it grew to be the major Roman city in the Galilee and the center of the late Byzantine Jewish community. Despite its historical importance, the ruins and excavations at Tiberias have not received the attention that they deserve. Fortunately that is changing. The state of Israel recently has made a commitment to showcase the ancient city of Tiberias.

In the virtual tour of Tiberias you can visit some of the prominent parts of the ancient city. From the church on Mt. Berenice, overlooking the ancient and modern town, to the basilica by the sea; from the marketplace – both Byzantine and Abbasid – to the large bath, you can get a vivid perspective of life in ancient Tiberias. Come take a look.

Zohar

Zohar is a small Byzantine fortress on a road leading out of the Dead Sea. It shares much of the same history as the nearby fortress at ‘En Boqeq, though it has not been preserved as well.

Abu Ghosh

Abu Ghosh is the home of a well preserved Crusader church. Built by the Order of St. John (the Hospitallers), the church is located where the Crusaders believed the New Testament village of Emmaus to be located. We now know that Emmaus is further east (you can also visit it in the Virtual World Project).

While you visit the church, make sure to inspect its many well-preserved paintings on the church walls.

Aqua Bella

Aqua Bella appears to be a manor built by the Order of St. John (the Hospitallers) for its aged, sick, and wounded knights. Although the site has been online for some time, it has recently been updated with additional VRs.

Yehiam

The Yehiam castle in northern Israel is known as Judin in the historical record and was a sister castle of the Teutonic Knights to the nearby Montfort castle. Although short lived, the castle was later rebuilt during the eighteenth century and was utilized by Israelis during the War of Independence.

Enjoy the scenic views from this castle, and see if you can distinguish the various periods of rebuilding in this otherwise unstudied castle.

Hunin castle and Beth Yerah

Hunin castle, known as Chateau Neuf in the historical record, is poorly preserved and never excavated, but it has one of the best examples of a dry moat, which protects its northern site. From the castle one gets a beautiful view of the Hulah valley below and the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Hermon in the distance.

Bet Yerah is better known for its Early Bronze granary, but unfortunately that structure is no longer visible. What has been preserved on the site is a typical basilical church.

Get out your passport, pack your bags, and take a tour of these two new sites in the project.

Khan al-Ahmar

Khan al-Ahmar, hidden away in the small industrial area of Mishor Adummim along the Jerusalem - Jericho road, is the monastery of Euthymius, one of the most important Judean monasteries of the Byzantine period. At the core of the monastery, a probably the oldest surviving part, is the crypt in which Euthymius himself was buried.

Take a visit to Khan al-Ahmar and get a glimpse of early monastic Christianity.

Montfort

The castle is poorly preserved thanks to Baybars who encouraged his troops to dismantle it. Nevertheless, Montfort was the main castle for the Knights of the Teutonic Order, and the castle has perhaps one of the most scenic settings in Israel. Come and visit this new addition to the project.

Umm al-Walid

On the edge of the eastern desert in central Jordan is the rarely visited site of Umm al-Walid. Although much of the ancient site still lies in ruin awaiting excavation and perhaps restoration, a Umayyad Qasr and Mosque have been excavated and preserved. Take a stroll across the qasr's well-paved courtyard and spend the night in one of its residential rooms or barracks. Although labelled a "qasr" - that is, a fortress - this qasr probably functioned as a khan.

A second qasr has also been excavated, but has not seen any preservations activities and is thus more difficult to discern. It is worth the visit, nevertheless.

Explore the Arad Fortress!

Now you can take an audio tour of the Arad Fortress! As with many of our other sites, in addition to a detailed site description, significant interpretational differences are presented as well. Enjoy!