Ein Hemed National Park (Aqua Bella) with pool and fortified Crusader home

Why not take a break from swimming, playing and picnicking to explore the ruins of the fortified Crusader home? There is also an observation area to walk to.

 

1. To the fortress: 

•  From the parking lot there are two paths to the park. Take the path to the right and you will shortly come to the main spring of Ein Hemed on your left. 

 

•  Cross the lawn and continue to the left on the concrete path. Go down to the stream, cross over it on the last bridge and this will lead you to the ruins of the fortified house. 

 

This fortified house was built by the Hospitaller Knights during the period of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem (1099 to 1187 CE). It is one of thirty-one fortresses built in Israel. This particular stronghold was built between 1140 to 1160, at the same time that the nearby Belmont fortress was built on Tel Tzubah and the Emaus fortress was built at Latrun. It was one of a string of fortresses designed to control the main road to Jerusalem and provide services to Christian pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. The agricultural community around the fortress was run in a European-type feudal system through an agent.



2. To the observation area:

Above the lawn area where three paths join up opposite terraces and picnic benches is a broad footpath going up the hill. This leads to an observation area providing views over the nearby Arab village of Naquba, the village of Abu Ghosh on the far side of Route 1, and the Judean Mountains in the distance.