Ein Hemed Aqua Bela National Park

Ein Hemed Aqua Bella is located near Jerusalem, near the Castell National Park. Aqua Bella is a ruin of a crusader fortress (or, according to archaeologists, a farm) built here in the middle of the 12th century to control the road to Jerusalem. Later, the Crusaders used this place as a hospital for soldiers. Even after the destruction, the castle occupies an impressive territory. Not far from the fortress there is an old Muslim cemetery with the grave of Sheikh Abdellah, around which ancient oaks grow. Along the entire park is the Kislon stream, descending from the Jerusalem mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. True, the source is small, and in some places is hidden under the ground, but nevertheless its presence fills this reserve with its life with beautiful huge trees, small waterfalls, small creeks, flowering plants and birds trills. In the fall, falling yellow foliage gives an even more European sound to this complex. In the park of Ein Hemed Aqua Bella there are many equipped places for a picnic, barbecues, benches, tables, fountains with water. Also in the reserve there is a camping. Translated with Google Translate

Source Ain Hemed is one of the most common types of sources in the Jerusalem mountains. Water enters the source after it seeps through the upper layer of dolomite and encounters a rock that does not allow water to pass through. Water flows from settled in the rock. The source attributed healing and miraculous properties. Local Arab residents believe that the waters of the source affect male potency and help parents give birth to boys. The Jewish inhabitants of Jerusalem used this water to prepare the Passover matzoh, and the pool near the spring was the place to celebrate the tashlich rite on the eve of the Doomsday. Translated with Google Translate

The fortified Crusader farm at Ein Hemed Aqua Bela was built for 20 years from 1140th year to 1160th year after Christmas. These were the years of the reign of the King of Jerusalem Polack Crusaders from Anjou. Ein Hemed Aqua Bela was built along with other fortifications: Belmont near today's settlement of Tsuba and also buildings in Emmaus. Ein Hemed Akwa Bela Malo is mentioned in the sources. One of the mentions goes back to the 1163rd year. This estate was offered as a tribute to the Hungarian king as a sign of gratitude to his pilgrimage to the holy land, however, the Hungarian king never made a pilgrimage to the holy land and the gift did not take place. From the surviving records it can be understood that Ein Hemed Akwa Bela belonged to the Order of the Hospitallers. It is likely that many pilgrims stayed in it, going to Jerusalem. The building consisted of a central courtyard and covered arched vaults around it. Today, the first floor is well preserved, in one of the rooms you can see equipment for pressing oil. Crusaders made wine, olive oil and sugar cane sugar here. Translated with Google Translate