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Shomron National Park (Sebastia) |
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The ancient capital of the kingdom of Israel |
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Level of difficulty: slightly strenuous |
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The remains of Shomron (Samaria) are located some 12 kilometers north of the city of Shechem, on the main road to Jenin near the Arab village of Sebastia. Samaria was the capital of the kingdom of Israel during the ninth-eighth centuries BCE. Remains from this period include walls, a fortress, the royal palace, dwellings and storehouses. The city flourished during the Late Roman period (second-third centuries CE), leaving behind its impressive forum, stadium and theater.
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In the first century BCE, Herod the Great built a temple there to Emperor Augustus. Particularly impressive is the one-kilometer-long colonnaded street, where excavations revealed some 600 columns that once led to a magnificent gate.
The mosque in Sebastia is built over the remains of Crusader church dedicated to John the Baptist, which is built on Byzantine foundations |
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| Useful information |  | Best season: | spring |  | Don't miss: | |  | Other facilities and attractions: | |  | Hours: | Due to the security situation, the site is closed to visitors until further notice except by pre-arrangement during the interim days of Passover and Sukkot; call the INPA around these dates for further information, or watch for announcements in the media. |  | Phone: | |  | Fax / Email: | |  | Entrance fee: | Adult: NIS 18; child: NIS 8
Israeli senior citizen: 50% discount
Group (over 30 people): Adult: NIS 15: child NIS 7
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