overview
Ashkelon is the southernmost town in Israel and is located on the shores of the Mediterranean.
It is a green town with gardens and sea.
There are more than 12 km of clean and beautiful beaches which represent a magnet for tourists and Israelis.
Ashkelon has become a very touristic town and it offers a wide range of archaeological sites together with new sites.
Amongst the sites you will find the Ashkelon National Park, the Archaeological Park and the Ashkelon Museum.
Ashkelon is on the list of the oldest towns in ancient Israel.
During the Canaanite era the town was an important port. The town underwent many upheavals over the years and the town was destroyed a number of times by various rulers including Nebuchadnezzar who burnt the town and exiled the residents.
The origin of the name Ashkelon was apparently given to it from the word “Shekel” to denote the measure of weight in trading.
Ashkelon had many wells that supplied water to the population who resided there, fertile agricultural land, comfortable climate and access to the Mediterranean.
During the Canaanite period, about five thousand years ago, it changed from a small settlement to a real port town.
The climate in the town is very comfortable throughout the year.
At present 115,000 residents live in the town.
The main sites in Ashkelon are the Ashkelon Park, located close to the Old city.
Lately a decorated arch has been discovered in the north-east of the Ashkelon Park. This is the oldest decorated arch in the world. The date of its construction is thought to be 1,800 BCE, and now efforts are being made to preserve it.
In the Park you will find a large, impressive amphitheatre with 10,000 seats, a colonnaded structure with a beautiful marble floor which are the remains of a Roman basilica, the Antalya Well, the Santa Maria Church, the remains of the city walls, and the crowning glory the Canaanite arch which was one of the gateways to the Canaanite town here.
In the Archaeological Garden you will find two sarcophagi from the Roman period (in Gefen Street in the Afridar neighbourhood), the remains of two Byzantine churches (in Zvi Segal Street in the Barnea neighbourhood), as well as two impressive Roman tombs and the tomb of a sheikh from the Mamaluke Period (close to the Marina).
In the Migdal neighbourhood there are several buildings remaining from the Arab town of Majdal including the Great Mosque and the khan.
In the mosque you will find the Ashkelon Museum displaying the history of new Ashkelon together with archaeological findings, and in the khan you will be able to see artists’ workshops.
Apart from historical sites Ashkelon offers the traveller a beautiful and well appointed coastline.
Shopping lovers will find a number of shopping malls and shopping centers.
