אבני חמשת המלכים, Hill in the Ayalon Valley, Israel
Avnei Hamishah Hamlachim, also known as the Stones of the Five Kings, is a hill in the Ayalon Valley, south of Modiin, near the community of Mevo Horon. The hill is covered with large, dark flint stones scattered across reddish soil, giving the terrain a rough and unusual appearance.
The site is connected to the biblical account of Joshua's campaign in Canaan, set several thousand years ago. Geological studies suggest the stones may have been displaced by seismic activity along an ancient fault line in the area.
The site is tied to a story from the Book of Joshua, in which five southern kings fought against Joshua and were said to have been struck down by stones from the sky. Visitors walking among the rocks can find memorial plaques that link the place to this biblical tradition.
The hill is reached on foot from a parking spot near Route 3, close to the entrance of Mevo Horon, and the walk is short and easy. A pergola on top of the hill offers a shaded resting spot with a view over the surrounding fields and orchards.
The flint stones on the hill are not in their natural geological position, as researchers believe they were pushed to the surface by past seismic events rather than deposited naturally. This has led some to suggest that the biblical story of stones falling from the sky may preserve a memory of an actual earthquake in the area.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
