Beit She'an, Northern District, Israel — West Asia (the Levant in the Middle East)
Gateway to Paradise
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 7, 2019
1. Gateway to Paradise Marker
The summer months pulsate with heat in the Bet-She'an Valley. At its heart, in the ancient city of Bet-She'an, were discovered the remains of bathhouses, fountains, and ornamental pools - echoes of a past rich in water resources. Ancient Bet-She'an was situated in surroundings blessed with an abundance of natural springs. The ripple and flow of water, the splashing of the fountains and the shimmer of clear pools refreshed the burning air for the Roman and Byzantine residents of the town, and enabled them to reap the soil's bounty. Ashtori Hafarhi, who lived there in the 14th century, hundreds of years after the bathhouses and fountains were destroyed in an earthquake, named the city "gateway to paradise."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 32° 30.196′ N, 35° 30.162′ E. Marker is in Beit She'an, Northern District. Marker can be reached from Sha’ul HaMelech Street (Northern District Route 6667) just west of National Route 90, on the right when traveling west. This marker is located in the midst of the archaeological ruins at the Beit She'an National Park. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Monument / Nymphaeum / Temple (within shouting distance of this marker);
this page online
More about this marker. This marker is located in the Beit She'an National Park, in midst of the ruins of the various layers of ancient cultures. It is my impression that these ancient ruins are very significant in both the historical and archaeological record of ancient Israel, because several of the artifacts and structural elements that were found in these particular ruins are now on display in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
Beth-shean (a.k.a. Beit She'an and Beth-shan) is also part of the Biblical record, being referenced five
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 7, 2019
2. Gateway to Paradise Marker
View of featured marker in foreground, with the ruins of Beit She'an seen in the lower background.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 7, 2019
3. View of the Ancient City
View of the lower landscape, of the ruins, directly in front of the marker.
Photographed By Dale K. Benington, April 7, 2019
4. View of the Ancient City
View from the upper city, looking down on the ruins of the lower city (which dates back to the time of the Romans and Byzantines) of Beit She'an.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 24, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 23, 2019, by Dale K. Benington of Toledo, Ohio.
