"Avedat NP --- One of the Nabatean desert cities" Horvot `Avedat by gubbi1

Horvot `Avedat Travel Guide: 43 reviews and 164 photos

Yhe beautifully located desert town Avedat is part of the Incense Route and by this listed as World Heritage Site by the UNESCO.
At the entrance to the park, close to a gas station, you can see a film about the Incense Route and Avedat.
Avedat was founded as in the third century BCE and was a station along the Incense Road along which spices and incense was transported from the far east over the Arabian Peninsula towards the Mediterranean Sea, specifically the port of Gaza.
Various rulers contributed to the growth of the town of Avedat. From the Nabateans, to the romans who set up their road from Jerusalem to Eilat along Avedat, and to the Byzantine who contributed with churches, cisterns etc.
From all you will find remains when exploring this fascinating town. If you wonder why it got abandoned, it was an earthquake around 630 which caused the people to leave Avedat.

Avedat NP, IL

My walk through Avedat was counterclock wise to the plan that is handed out to each visitor, which seems to be the most common as others did the same.

What there is to see:

Bathhouse: Living in a city which was founded by romans and which has a museum about roman baths the bath in Avedat was very interesting to me even though it originates from the Byzantine periode. The bathhouse is well preserved and gives you a great insight into the bath culture of former times.

Reconstructed Byzantine House and caves: This structure is very interesting as it consits of a Byzantine House and a large cave behind it. To continue your tour you will have to find your way through a labyrinth of caves. The house has a courtyard, storages, toilet and wine themed carvings.

Lookout: A huge platform widely seen with the flags gives an excellent view into the valley with the bathhouse and into the far distance.

Southern Church: The Southern Church was part of a monastery (rooms around indicate this) and has tombs in the floor dating back from 541 to 618.

Northern Church: It is the older one of the two churches and the cities cathedral.

City Fortress: A massive structure consiting of huge walls that surround and protect a plaza serving as a refuge in case of a threat.

Wine Press: Five wine presses were found in town. You can see one which seems to be restored as it is well in shape. Wine making was flourishing in Avedat during the Byzantine periode.

Byzantine Quarter: It was destroyed by an earthquake in around 630. Here you find mainly residential buildings built during the Roman periode.

Roman Tower: It is a great and massive lookout before leaving the town towards the street that leads down to the car park.

Caravan: To commemorate the Incense Route a sculpture of a camel caravan is set up along the upper parking area.

Southern Villa: At a point that you have already finished your visit to Avedat in your mind you will pass the Upper Villa which invites for another photo stop with its arch and the view into the far distance. Also it is kind of impressive to know that the fields in the valley have been used for more than two thousand years.

Roman Burial Caves: You will find the burial caves close to the Southern Villa, but still with a detour from the way down to the parking. But still I recommend to take those meters as you will see an interesting cave with graves. The cave dates back to the third century.