Yehi'am Fortress National Park, Medieval fortress national park in Northern District, Israel
Yehi'am Fortress is a hilltop stronghold in northern Israel featuring preserved stone walls, defensive towers, and residential spaces built across different periods. The ruins sit on elevated terrain where you can see the surrounding countryside, with different building sections standing side by side from various historical eras.
Crusaders built the fortress in the 12th century as a stronghold in the region they had recently conquered. It later fell to Muslim forces and then became part of modern Israel centuries afterward.
The fortress shows traces of different peoples who built here across centuries, visible in how the structures and their purposes changed with each ruler. Walking through the ruins, you notice how the construction methods and defensive designs reflect the customs and needs of those who occupied it at different times.
The site has marked walking paths and information signs in multiple languages to help you navigate the area. Rest areas and picnic tables are scattered throughout, giving you places to stop and take in the surroundings.
The fortress sits on what was once a crucial crossing point on ancient trade routes linking the Galilee region with Mediterranean ports. This location made it far more than just a military post, as merchants and travelers passed through regularly.
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