Location: Map
Ein Gedi is an oasis to the West of the Dead Sea in close proximity to Masada plateau and Qumran caves. Ein Gedi National Park is an oasis reserve in the Judean Desert on the Western shore of the Dead Sea, 17 km North of Masada. Ein Gedi National Park was established in 1972 and covers the area of 6250 acres. erennial spring falls from a height of 200 meters and flows through the gorge of Nahal David. The reeds on the shores of the stream provides great hiding place for the wild goats, leopards, starlings and even eagles. The name of the canyon is named after Biblical king David who hid in the local reeds and caves hiding from king Saul's wrath.
"And David went up from thence, and dwelt in the strongholds of Ein Gedi" (Samuel 1 24:1).
The hill of Tel Goren found near Ein Gedi contains one of the most important archaeological sites in the Judean Desert. It contains five archaeological layers of various cultures, including the remains of a pagan temple dating back to the Chalcolithic period. Settlement on top of Tel Goren was destroyed several times and later rebuilt by people who were drawn to one of the few sources of water in the region. Only in the 6th century the village was completely level by nomadic tribes that swept through Ein Gedi region.
Today you can see remains of unique water delivery system as well as remains of the synagogue dating to the Roman- Byzantine period. Its well preserved mosaic covering most of the floor contains inscription in Aramaic, language that Jesus Christ spoke along with his disciples. These texts talk about God's wrath that will hit anyone who will divulge the "secrets of the city". There is great deal of speculation and discussion of the meaning of this enigmatic message. Some claim that Ein Gedi still harbors a secret text or probably a treasury in the canyons surrounding Ein Gedi. Other claim that "secrets" referred to a making of the famous balm that was sold throughout the region.