Khirbet Karta is the name of a modern nature reserve on the shell rock ridge stretching along the sea. In fact, the name "Map" appears to be mistaken for this place. It is mentioned in the notes of a traveler from Bordeaux who visited the Holy Land in the fourteenth century. He mentioned a place called Mutatio Carthae, which means a stop to change horses. Such stations were located along the main roads. Parking for changing horses in the area of modern Atlit at the foot of the shell rock was common, especially given the peculiarity of the terrain. The bottleneck between the sea and the marshes was the only accessible land isthmus and was a strategic point along the coastal road. At the same time, in ancient times, there really was a settlement of Karta in these places. Moreover, archaeological research carried out in the valley in 1967 pushed scientists to the hill known today as Megadim within the settlement of the same name north of Atlit. Translated with Google Translate
Atlit is a small town south of Haifa. In the shadow of the capital of North, Atlit is an unremarkable province. However, acquaintance with this place will amaze us with the diversity and depth of the events that took place here. Let's start, oddly enough, with the cemetery. Knights and pilgrims are buried there. This is the only cemetery in the Middle East from the Crusades' time in such good condition. Then our path will run to the refugee camp, which has become an immigration museum. Here we are, witnesses, for the incredible fate of people, secret paths of illegal immigration, and a really recreated atmosphere of those years: the presence of barbed wire, guard towers, disinfection, and wooden barracks tarred by the scorching sun. Then, after a short picnic, we will climb to the ruins of the Crusader fortress De Strua. These are the only sites associated with the history of the Crusades that can be visited in Atlit today. And finally, we will go to the secret azure lagoon, where you can swim and find the shells of the famous mollusk, which gave itself the most expensive and prestigious paint of the ancient world - purple.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
