Eusebius, in the 4th century CE, located Azekah between Eleutheropolis (Beit Guvrin) and Jerusalem. However, in the later Madaba Map, the name Azekah does not appear, and instead, "Beit Zacharia" is mentioned, reminiscent of the Arab village of Zakaria that existed at the foot of the hill until the War of Independence. Today, the moshav of Zekharia is located there. Near the inscription on the Madaba Map, a large church is depicted with the inscription "Tomb of Holy Zechariah." According to Avi-Yonah, the church courtyard was considered the burial place of the prophet, and the building was new and well-known when the map was created. It seems that during the Byzantine period, Christians confused Zechariah the prophet with Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, which explains the grandeur of the building. The building itself was first mentioned by Antoninus of Piacenza in 570 CE.
This short walk through the Ela Valley and the slopes of the central highlands will reveal the history of the place, from biblical prophets to Roman emperors. Important trade routes from the valley to Jerusalem have always passed through here, and this was the border of Judea. We will encounter intriguing sites like the battlefield of David and Goliath, the possible tomb of Goliath, and many other stories of this fascinating area.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
