Bet She’an – Parque Arqueologio – Israel
He Bet She'an National Park, a 115 kilometers northeast of Tel Aviv, 130 km of Jerusalem Y 80 kilometers east of Haifa, It is one of the many archaeological sites found in Israel and houses an ancient Byzantine Roman city in a well maintained condition.
In 1920 They carried out the first archaeological excavations that would expose one of the many treasures that history has bequeathed us the land Israel.
He Rio Harod, Nearby, has made the area a favorable place for settlements because both fertility which gave the field and the possibility of giving the site a source of enough water to settle, found cities and build roads traffic which it was favored by the geographical point where it is located.
The story has several episodes that area and the city have gone through, and that have prospered as much as impoverishing. Among the centuries 16 Y 12 A.C., It existed here a city that was Egyptian government headquarters. Later the city was taken by the king David becoming administrative center. In the sixth century BC the city was destroyed for later, in the fourth century A.C., during the Hellenistic period, there founded a city called Nysa Scythopolis, (o Escitopolis-ciudad de los Scythians, nomadic people of antiquity) It was then that beautiful buildings began to be built, as well as fountains and a market.
In the second century A.C.. the city falls into the hands of Amoneos to be conquered by the Romans in the year 63 to.C. taking great importance and among the main cities of Northern Israel. It was during this period when the city grew considerably, administrative buildings constructed splendid, theaters, spas and residences.
During the Byzantine period, the city, Scythopolis, Christian population increases. a wall encircling the city and a large number of churches and monasteries were then built. The population of the city to then reach over 30.000 population. After the Arab conquest the city begins to decline both in their buildings and in number of inhabitants, whose number decreases considerably. At 749 D.C.. Scythopolis was affected and nearly destroyed by an earthquake, after which the place name changes Beisan that would house a rural settlement. In the Medieval period the city begins to grow partly, especially in the southern part. also Knights Crusaders They settled in the city for some period then constructed a fort near the ancient theater. The area remains later a rural settlement even in Ottoman times.
With the establishment the State of Israel, The excavations and value of Bet She'an makes the area reaches a great development and flourish again.
When you start the walk in the Bet She'an National Park, we are at the entrance with a model allows us to give an idea of the magnitude that had this magnificent Byzantine Roman city.
Buildings and Monuments to visit in Bet She'an:
With the entrance we deliver a brochure with additional information on each monument, He suggests a route to follow so as not to miss any of the interesting sites offered by the site. Anyway, Of course, every visitor would choose, according to their own interests and preferences, or curiosity that might raise one other building or, on how the visit.
The Thermal building and the Theatre are one on each side of the entrance which can be initiated by either visiting them. Let the hot springs to the end, especially if it's summer, because it is a good place to shelter from the sun's rays to finish the walk.
– theater: It built in the first century with a capacity to house 7000 viewers. In many of its steps can be checked the various renovations that have been made as well as the lower tiers, which they have remained intact. In front of the stands occupied stage 20 meters. There still remain marble and granite columns with magnificent capitals.
– building Thermal: This building houses the Byzantine era thermal baths. The well preserved to appreciate all the heating system at various levels of construction. It is also possible here to observe mosaics and paintings with which the place is ornamented.
– street Palladian: he Cardo from the city, Earth's axis, North South, It is a street 150 meters built in the Roman period. The street crosses the city from the theater to the Roman temple. In Byzantine period is renewed street, generating a portico that houses valuable mosaics where you can read a remembrance of its construction.
– The street "Silvanus": he Decumanos Roman city, celestial axis, East West, built in Roman period. He had in the previous part and parallel to the street, pond 487 meters long and 70 centimeters deep. During the Byzantine period a new road is built on this and on the pond a room that later fell into disuse and some shops settled there. Also affected by the earthquake.
– Valley Street, named by archaeologists, It is one of the three main streets of the city, also flanked with rows of columns with Corinthian capitals 7 meters high. Its length to the northeast gate was 560 meters long. Along the street different types of stores were located.
– North street: Roman Street building northwest of the entrance to the city, colonnaded. It leads to what was the strong, Tel Beit She´an, acropolis city.
– Agora: also Byzantine era, the agora deals, as generally, the city center and meeting center was both social and commercial, here also the mosaics leave their mark.
– Sigma: surrounded by a circular construction 12 rooms that open toward the center. It is of Byzantine origin and splendid mosaics here can also be seen in each. Highlights one very well preserved that represents "Tyche" guardian of the city with a crown and holding a cornucopia.
– Roman temple: It is a semicircular temple SII which was affected by the destruction both Byzantine period and by the earthquake 749. Four huge pillars 9 meters high with Corinthian capitals, were part of the entrance hall together with the gable 14 meters high gave the building a major character.
– Tel Bet She’an, Hill fort. Located at the top of the city, It occupies a strategic place where both the city can be seen as the surroundings. Have been discovered here various strata, 5 temples built one upon another in different periods of history, public and administrative buildings, residential buildings and remains of buildings with Egyptian inscriptions dating period. During the Hellenistic period it was reconstructed. In the Roman period is erected here a temple to Zeus. In the Byzantine period a church was built here. In medieval times the wall is built. Here he was reportedly built the fort in time of the Crusaders.
– Nymphaeum, ninfeo: building dedicated to the nymphs, its source richly decorated dating from the second century and was for public use. It has a height of 13 meters. It was also affected by the earthquake.
– This thermal building: another thermal building built in the Roman period and renovated in Byzantine period is located here.
– Public latrines: This close to the thermal baths, It is formed with a courtyard surrounded by columns with mosaic. He consisted with 57 toilets under which ran a channel wastewater to the drainage system of the city.
– Complex rituals: first century complex consisting of a temple with a shrine and several altars.
– the bridge: outside, northeast of the city, this important Roman construction, Door to the city. Destroyed in the earthquake 749 and rebuilt in part with its very stones he had 37 meters long and 18 wide.
– Amphitheater: to some 700 meters south of the park entrance, already 200 meters straight out from the theater, It is a Roman amphitheater of the second century. Built as a racetrack for horses and chariots it was become the fourth century amphitheater. It could house 6000 viewers. In the Middle Ages some of its stones were used to build the fort of crusaders.
– mosaics: The mosaics with which we find in this archaeological site are admirable and well preserved, He highlights the mosaic dedicated to Tyche, considered guardian of the city and located, as I was mentioned before, probably in a Byzantine building whose function is not yet well defined. As well as the great mosaic in the courtyard of a building that belonged to a church in the northern area near the cemetery, representing with figures, a calendar, that while it might be of Hebrew Design, Greco Roman figures includes features.
The area covered by the park is extensive, so it is advisable to make the visit with quiet and comfortable footwear and clothing. If in summer the advice is to start the visit early in the morning because much of the route is done under the sun and in this region the temperatures are usually very high. Drink a lot of water.
Bet She’an, heritage that history gives us and through walls, floors, floors, mosaics enriches us and teaches us. After the visit we will be more than pleased to have walked this floor.