Beit Shearim - Sea of Galilee Travel Information
The Jewish town of Beit She'arim flourished during the 2-4 centauries CE (the Roman period). The people of Beit She'arim dug ornate catacombs, interconnected by tunnels, creating a huge underground necropolis - a city of the dead. The caves are full of stylized sarcophagi, decorated with Jewish and secular symbols. Beit She'arim was destroyed during the mutiny against Galos the emperor in the year 352 CE.
The town of Beit She'arim became an important spiritual center when Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi ("Rabbi"), who was the spiritual authority of the time, made his home there. Rabbi was known as the sealer of the "Mishna". Rabbi also moved the "Sanhedrin" (the religious-judicial authority) to Beit She'arim. When he died in the year 220 CE, Rabbi was buried in one of the caves, a fact that made Beit Shearim an important burial place, for Jews of Israel and the Diaspora.
The Beit She'arim site was discovered by accident in 1936 by the legendery guard Alexander Zeid, who lived there while watching over the lands of the Jewish National Fund (KKL). during excavations done in this site, more than 30 burial caves were discovered, and more are belived to exist.
Getting to Beit Shearim
For people coming from Tel-Aviv, take higheay 4 (the old Tel-Aviv - Haifa road) to the Furadis junction, where you turn right (eastwards) to route 70. Contunue to the Yokneam juction, where you turn to route 722 until you reach the Hashomrim junction. This is when you take the first turn left, until you reach the national park.
Tour in the Beit Shearim National Park
Volunteer guides from Kiryat Tivon give free tours of Beit She'arim every hour.
 Costs |
18 NIS (Adult) |
 Hours |
Apt-Sep: |
 Phone |
04-9831643 |
