Inbal Jerusalem Magazine - Inbal Hotel Jerusalem

Tourismof her children - Herod spent much of his 69 longyears on earth putting up some of the most magnificentedifices ever seen in these parts.” While most of Herod’sengineering marvels notably in Caesarea, Jerusalem andJericho are well documented by Josephus, the king’sfinal resting place remained a mystery until 2007, whenacclaimed Hebrew University Prof. Ehud Netzer foundHerod’s tomb “at the very spot we all are standing now,”revealed the guide, “here at Herodion.”David Mevorah, the co-curator of an exhibition on Herodcurrently on at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, remarkedin a recent interview, that Herod was more “expansiveand ostentatious at Herodion.” Only a short chariot rideout of town, he used Herodion like “a country club.That’s why he built his palaces at Herodion, and didclothing and be prepared to literally wade ‘deep’ intothe past with a visit to the Biyar Aqueduct.Also known as the "Shaft Riverbed”, it is a collection of24 underground shafts hewed into the hard chalky stoneof the Judean Hills.During the second temple period there was a needfor more water for the city of Jerusalem and so it wasdecided to take water from springs in the Hebron hills,and channel the water to Jerusalem via aqueducts andtunnels using only the force of gravity. Two aqueducts- the Biyar and Arrub - were constructed bringing waterfrom the Hebron Hills to the Solomon’s Pools near BetLechem, where after, another two aqueducts were builtbringing water to the Jaffa Gate area, and the other oneto the Temple Mount. These aqueducts were an amazingYoram shpirerDave KaplanDown to the Wire. The longest Omega in the Middle East, this thrillingride zooms over one of the most scenic and forested areas of GushEtzion.most of his partying there.” It is believed that Herodliked to host visiting Roman dignitaries at Herodion,“and always ensured that the storerooms were kept wellstocked with the finest wines, grain and fruit he couldlay his hands on.”For those too looking for cuisine in the Gush there are anumber of places to eat from Gavna Restaurant locatedin the Massuot Yizhak Forest on the slope of a mountainoverlooking a beautiful riverbed, to fast food eateries inEfrat at its shopping centers.Tree of Life. Tour Guide Dr. David Paz explainingin front of the ‘Lone Oak Tree’ its history andsymbolism.feat of engineering - the slope of the 39 kilometer longArrub aqueduct averaged one meter per kilometer.In the Biyar Aqueduct in the Gush, the water level isregulated - its deepest point should not be more thatwaist high. After 15-20 minutes - depending on peopletraffic - you will climb up a ladder and return to the 21stcentury. It’s an experience ideal for families - althoughnot for the too young or senior - and is perfect duringthe hot summer, when one is always looking for waysto “cool off”.Go with the FlowA concern in this region from the beginning of timehas been the quest to provide fresh water to a growingpopulation. While still a problem today, it was more so2000 years ago, and to discover how they did it, takea flashlight, water shoes, a small towel and a change ofFor the Fun of ItThere is much more to the Gush than the past - especiallyfor the kids. There is Eretz Ayalim, a beautiful park withextreme sports that features a ropes park, a climbingwall, and for the thrill seekers, the longest Omega in theMiddle East. As one participant - a student from the USASpring-Summer 201344