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Ashkelon - Culture 

The modern city of Ashkelon is the southern sea-gate to the Holy Land. In ancient times the seaport was strategically located on the Via Maris, the "Sea Road" and served as a meeting place connecting trade routes and sea-lanes during most of history.

The city also plays a role in biblical history as the place where Delilah cut Samson's hair to sap his strength (Judges XIV-XVI). Ashkelon was also a great trading centre because it lay along the Via Maris, the route linking Egypt with Syria and Mesopotamia.

Ancient Ashkelon lies in a beautiful park. Judging from the heaps of families who visit the park over the weekend with their favourite attribute, a portable barbecue, hardly anyone seems to care about the antiquities. It is possible to meet tour groups who follow their enthusiastic leaders, telling interesting things about Ashkelon - that can only be seen by using the imagination. A visit to Ashkelon takes some preparation; otherwise it can be disappointing. Many sites are locked, closed or still worked upon.

The city is shown walled. In the extant fragment we face the inner side of the eastern gate flanked by two towers and surmounted by a window. A broad square surrounded by porticoes lies in front of the gate; in its centre is a smaller portico behind which is visible a rectangular pool, divided into three compartments. Northwest of the pool stands a triumphal arch. It stands at a crossing of several other colonnaded streets. On the south a square colonnaded court runs parallel to the street; it seems to surround some building of importance.

Ashkelon is a focal point for tours around Israel and an excellent base for 1-2 day trips to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Galilee, Judean desert and Dead Sea.

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