Project Apollonia - Tech Executives for Heritage Preservation
Less than ten miles north of Tel Aviv, accessible by car or by bus, Apollonia National Park stands on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean shore.
Project Apollonia, a consortium of tech and environment industry executives, is supporting excavation on the western side of the Crusader-era fortress, facing the sea. Other development efforts will restore medieval arches and create a viewing platform above remains of the ancient harbor. Walkways throughout the park are being enhanced. You are invited to help in restoration of the site – Click here
Apollonia in History
Excavations by the Tel Aviv Institute of Archeology revealed settlement and a harbor beginning with the Phoenicians in the 6th century BCE who named it Arsuf and ending with its abandonment after the Crusades.
Arsuf the town was renamed Apollonia in Hellenistic times, after Apollo. According to the ancient historian Josephus, Apollonia was captured by the Jews during the Maccabean revolt and was ruled by Hasmonean kings. Centuries later, the city flourished in Roman and Muslim periods and was home to a sizable Samaritan community. Walls were built for protection. In 1191, the Battle of Arsuf was fought here, between the armies of two legendary warriors: Richard the Lion-Hearted and Saladin.
The Site Today
Today the site is popular for family outings and open-air concerts on summer weekends. The most striking feature is a Crusader fortress and moat built atop an earlier Muslim stronghold.
Remains of a Roman villa are also on view. The Park also preserves glass furnaces and wine presses from the Byzantine era. Nearby is the 13th century Sidna Ali Mosque dedicated to the defeat of the Crusaders by the final Mamluk conqueror.
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