Mount Tabor, Sacred summit in Northern District, Israel.
Mount Tabor rises 588 meters above sea level as a freestanding hill with a gently domed top in the Jezreel plain. The slopes are covered with Mediterranean scrub and pine trees, while the buildings of the two monasteries shape the skyline at the summit.
The hill has served as a fortification point since the Bronze Age and was the scene of many conflicts between changing rulers of the land. Crusaders built a fortress here in the 12th century that was later destroyed, before the current religious buildings were erected in the 20th century.
The summit takes its name from biblical narratives and draws pilgrims from different faiths who walk or drive to the top. Two modern monasteries stand at the peak, one Franciscan and one Greek Orthodox, serving side by side as places for quiet reflection.
Two paved roads lead to the top from different sides, with the eastern route less steep and suitable for all vehicle types. Footpaths through the wooded nature reserve offer an alternative and take about an hour and a half from the base to the summit.
The peak offers views on clear days from the Jordan Valley to the Mediterranean coast, with the rounded shape of the rise visible from almost all directions across the region. Wild flowers cover the slopes in spring and transform the landscape into a colorful natural display.
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