Migdal Tsedek National Park is located on a high ridge in the northwest of Samaria, on the edge of the Samarian Mountains and at the eastern end of the coastal plain. Its strategic location, at an elevation of about 80 meters above sea level, enabled control over the ancient road from Jaffa to Shechem and Jerusalem, which was one of the main trade and pilgrimage routes in Ancient times. The hill of Tsedek stands above the Shiloh stream and overlooks the entire area – from west to east, from the coast to Samaria.
Human activity in the area dates back to the Chalcolithic period, but most of the settlement is attributed to the Roman, Byzantine, Crusader, and Ottoman periods. Under every layer of construction, there is a story, sometimes more than one: a Crusader fortress, an Ottoman agricultural farm, an Ottoman border post, a guard station for a local sheikh, a site of battles during the War of Independence, and later, a closed military area. Only in recent years has the site been opened to the public and lovingly restored.
The name of the site comes from the nickname given to it in the 19th century: “Tsedek” named after Sheikh Tsadek al-Jama’ini, a member of a prominent Muslim family from the village of Jama’in north of Shechem. The sheikh established his seat there, fortified the main structure, and controlled the surrounding areas – leaving his mark with a name that has survived to this day.
Migdal Tsedek National Park offers a fascinating combination of landscape and nature with history and archaeology: a fortress, scenic viewpoints, ancient tombs, quarries, and kilns, all accessible in a manner suitable for families, students, and travelers of all ages.
At the heart of the site stands a large fortress, built as a complex of walls, rooms, towers, and balconies, and it is one of the park’s most prominent symbols. Its foundations are rooted in the Crusader period, when it was called “Mirabel” – a combination of the word “Mirage” and the word “Bel” (beautiful view in French) due to the magnificent view it offers. The Crusader fortress controlled the central route from Jaffa to Shechem and Jerusalem and was part of a system of fortresses meant to ensure control over trade routes and pilgrimage paths.
The next and more significant phase in the fortress’s history took place in the 19th century, when Sheikh Tsadek al-Jama’ini, a member of a prominent family from the village of Jama’in near Shechem, chose to establish his residence there. The Tsadek family gained control over agricultural territories in the area and transformed the fortress into a kind of “country palace,” surrounded by farmland and serving also as a collection, control, and representation station.
The sheikh consolidated his power through alliances with the central Ottoman government, demonstrating regional strength by controlling key locations like Migdal Tsedek . The name “Migdal Tsedek” comes from the Hebrew version of the Arabic name “Majdal Tsadek” (the tower of Tsadek) – was adopted only recently. However, the original name is “Majdal Yaba” (Tower of Jaffa), named after the prominent tower that overlooks the city of Jaffa from the west.
During the War of Independence, the fortress served as a stronghold for Arab forces and the Jordanian Legion, and was finally captured in July 1948.
To the southeast of the fortress rises another hill, quiet and less known, but of great historical value: the Tomb Hill. On this site, dozens of rock-hewn tombs were found, dating back to the Roman and Byzantine periods, some of which contain burial niches, ossuaries, and access steps. The tombs reflect a continuous settlement in the area, possibly starting in the Hellenistic period.
But here, there is not only archaeology; there is also a poignant biblical narrative. From the hilltop viewpoint, a view unfolds across the plain of Aphek, which, according to the tradition of biblical scholars, is identified with the site of the Battle of Ebenezer, described in 1 Samuel 4. In this battle, the Israelites faced the Philistines at a place called “Ebenezer,” near Aphek. The Israelites were defeated, and the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines – a traumatic event that marked both a spiritual and political crisis.
The biblical description fits the local topography well: the Aphek ridge to the west (near today’s Rosh HaAyin), and the hills of Shiloh and Beit Aryeh to the north and east. In the eyes of many, the view from Tomb Hill allows one to “see the Bible with their own eyes” – to understand how the battle unfolded and feel the tension between the hills, the valley, and the newly rebuilt national identity.
To the east and south of the fortress lies an ancient industrial landscape: lime quarries, kilns, and other remnants of agricultural-industrial activity that took place here over many centuries. The local limestone was used as a primary building material. The kilns found at the site, built during the modern era, were used for firing limestone to produce lime, which was used for plaster, wall reinforcement, and even agricultural work. This is an ancient process: limestone is burned at high temperatures for several days in a covered pit, with combustion taking place below, and eventually, white lime is produced. Several such kilns have been found at Migdal Tsedek, many of which have been well-preserved, mainly from the British Mandate period.
The tour among the quarries and kilns offers a window into the lives of the ordinary people who lived here – building, quarrying, working, and disappearing – but leaving a deep mark on the landscape and stone.
