Ekron, Archaeological site in Jerusalem District, Israel
Ekron is an archaeological site in the Jerusalem District of Israel, formed by a small upper mound and a large lower area. Both levels sit on open ground between the coastal plain and the inland hills.
The place was settled from the 12th century BCE by the Philistines, who built a fortified community. That settlement remained active for centuries and shaped the region until its later decline.
The name Ekron comes from biblical texts that mention this settlement as one of the five major centers of the Philistines. Visitors today walk among foundations that show how homes and workshops once stood side by side in everyday life.
The site is open ground and can be reached on foot, but expect uneven surfaces underfoot. A visit usually takes one to two hours, depending on how thoroughly you want to explore the ruins.
Excavations uncovered more than one hundred olive oil presses concentrated in a single industrial quarter. This arrangement shows that residents organized oil production as a communal task to process large quantities.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
