Map: Crusader sites

For FHE tonight, Zee (16) and Yum (9) taught us (very, very briefly) about the Crusades and some of the Crusader sites in Israel.

The sites on the map are but a small representation of the numerous sites in Israel. They chose to map Akko (Acre), Arsuf (Apollonia), Belveer, Beth Gibelin, Tiberias, Montfort, Tower of David, and Caesarea Maritima.

Caesarea Maritima

Caesarea, on the "Golden Coast" of the Mediterranean, was first settled by the Phoenicians (Straton's Tower, and later by Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Crusaders. Herod the Great built a large city here, and named it in honor of Caeser Augustus. Various procurators ruled Judea from here--Pontius Pilate is the most famous. It was in Caesarea that Peter converted the centurian Cornelius (Acts 10:19-48), and Paul was imprisoned for two years by the procurator Felix (Acts 23:22-26:32). Herod Agrippa I died here (Acts 12:19-23).

Arabs captured the city in 637 AD. The Crusaders came in 1101, but didn't fortify the city until 1241 AD. The Crusader City was destroyed in the 1270s.

The national park there allows you entrance to both the Roman theater (built during the time of Christ) and the moated Crusader city. The ruined port facilities built by Herod are also in this area, as are a Hippodrome and Roman aqueducts.

photo by Gilad Topaz

Monfort Fortress

Zee (16) is researching Crusader sites for our trip (hopefully still on, even with the corona craziness), and we just came across the Montfort Fortress. Now both Zee and I are determined to hike out to it. It's so beautiful!

It looks like it is a hike, so probably the whole family--especially Grandma and Gee--won't go, but it also says there is a great view area where you can see it. So maybe some will go and some won't. But it looks so amazing and fun!