The interior staircase of the Sorek Station is a masterpiece of industrial durability. Designed to withstand the relentless traffic of soldiers, pilgrims, and heavy luggage, the stairs are crafted from monolithic reinforced concrete—a high-quality luxury material for the late Ottoman and Mandate eras. Even after decades of neglect, the steps retain their sharp geometry, a testament to the superior cement used in their construction.
The engineering is remarkably clever: each step features a projecting "bullnose" edge to prevent chipping and increase foot surface, while the two-flight compact design maximises ground-floor space for waiting halls. Though the steps appear to "float," they are deeply anchored into the massive limestone walls, providing immense structural integrity. To ensure fire safety and "vandal-proofing" at this vital military junction, the architects opted for solid concrete parapets instead of fragile wood or costly wrought iron. These stairs remain the "concrete spine" of the building, outlasting the very empire that commissioned them.
The journey begins in the almond blossoms of Sha'alvim, a landscape rooted in the biblical territory of the Tribe of Dan. The route advances through the strategic Latrun salient to Emmaus-Nicopolis, where Byzantine ruins mark the site of the Resurrection—land preserved through the spiritual visions of Mariam Baouardi and the patronage of Countess Beatrice de Saint-Cricq.
The path culminates at the abandoned Sorek Station, a limestone relic of the Ottoman Empire. Inside, time stands still among concrete staircases and iron veterans: a freight car and a yellow-marked shunting locomotive from the 1990s. A modest monument to Egyptian labourers honours the unsung builders of the WWI era. Today, the silence of these rusted tracks is only broken by the whistle of modern trains, bridging the gap between ancient faith and imperial ruins.
