North Coast - Akko - Haifa - Carmel - Megiddo

Israel - North Coast

Akko

The old city of Akko (Acco or Acre) is situated on the north shore of Haifa bay on the Mediterranean coast. From Canaanite times until Roman rule Akko was the most important port on the coast of Palestine because of it being one of the few place to offer a natural harbour. Acco is mentioned in Jg 1:31, 32 as being in the territory of Asher in ancient Israel in the control of Caananites, historical sources show that it came to be controlled by many dynasties over the next several centuries including the Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, and Egyptians, Hasmoneans and Herod the Great was given rulership of the city under the Romans in the 1st Century B.C.E. In the 3rd Century B.C.E. Ptolemy II had renamed the city Ptolemais, and Paul mentions staying there a day on his return to Jerusalem Ac 21:7.

Today the Old City of Akko, along with it’s Crusader ruins, is one of the oldest and finest preserved Ottoman walled cities and sea ports in the world and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rosh HaNikra

Rosh HaNikra is a naturally formed Grotto north of Akko and just south of the Lebanon border. The grotto is accessed by a gondola that descends to the caves. The top of the cliffs give a panoramic view of the north coast of Israel and the southern tip of Lebanon.

Haifa

Haifa is known as the third largest city in Israel and a major seaport. The city is built on the slopes of Mount Carmel around the southern curve of Haifa bay. Like Akko to the north the area of Haifa has been under the control of many nations since ancient times. The Romans gave the 1st century fortress the name Efa and the name Hefa is mentioned by Eusibius in the forth century C.E. and numerous times in the Talmud. Outside of a brief conquest by Napoleon in 1799 and Egyptian rule between 1831 and 1840, Haifa was under Ottoman empire rule between the late 16th century C.E. and 1918.

The lovely beaches, bustle of industry, the steep mountainside slopes the city is built on and the laid back nature of the residents give Haifa a unique and appealing character.

Hecht Museum, Haifa

At the highest point of Mount Carmel, on the University of Haifa campus, is where the Hecht Museum is found. With it’s impressive archaeological finds ranging from important ancient coins and artifacts, to a surprising collection of Impressionist artwork - including works by Van Gogh and Modigliani. A special wing houses the Ma'agan Mikhael Ancient Ship - the hull, anchor and cargo of a 2,400-year-old ship. Admission is free.

Haifa - Mount Carmel

Mount Carmel

On the south east peak of Mount Carmel is the traditional location of Elijah’s battle with the Ba’al priests found in 1Ki 18 and is marked by a statue of Elijah. From here there are beautiful views of the Galilean hills, Kishon and plain of Esdraelon, Jezreel valley and the Carmel mountain range.

Megiddo

About 30 km southeast of Haifa, on a mound rising about 20m above the western end of the Jezreel valley, is the ruins of the ancient city of Megiddo. Megiddo was situated at the crossroads of the major military and trade routes connecting Egypt, Tyre and Damascus and has a panoramic view of the valley making it an important conquest for the ancient Israelites. Megiddo reached its peak under King Solomon in the 10th century BCE. He rebuilt it as a royal city, administering the northern part of the kingdom. He is mentioned fortifying the city to house his stables 2Ki 23:29 and designated the city as a food supply for the royal household 1Ki 4:12. Important battles fought around Megiddo include Barak’s defeat of Jabin Jg 5:19, King Ahaziah defeat by Jehu 2Ki 9:27, and King Josiah death at the hands of Pharaoh Nechoh 2Ki 23:29, 30. The name Megiddo is perhaps most well known for it’s association with the word Armageddon (meaning: Mountain of Megiddo) found in Rev. 16:16. The city was abandoned in the 3rd century B.C.E. and the ruins remain intact from that time.

Many layers of settlement have been found in the archaeological digs at Tel Megiddo from Canaanite and Israelite times. Highlights include the massive city walls and the city gates from the 10th century B.C.E., the stables and public buildings thought to have been from the time of King Ahab, the Grain Silo from Jeroboam’s time and the remarkable underground tunnel and water system.

daniel campbellMarch 22, 2020