Horbat Kayapa

For lovers of nature, archeology and Bible stories: A view of the Khirbet Qeiyafa over the Ella Valley, where David apparently defeated Goliath. Khirbet Qeiyafa/Elah Fortress, this is the story of a rocky hill in Emek Ha'Ela, which was named "Khirbet Qeiyafa".

Five years of excavation has revealed an impressive city surrounded by an array of unusual fortifications, but it is ten burnt olive pits that proved beyond any doubt; this is a fortified city that existed about 3,000 years ago, attributed to the period of King David. The archaeologist Garfinkel says "This city is the capital of the kingdom of Judea".

He identifies the settlement that he digs with the city of Sha'ariyot mentioned in the Book of Samuel I with two gates, in Emek Ha'Ela, when David kills Goliath and the Philistines flee through the gates. How to get there? Drive on Route 38 from Sha'ar Hagai to the south, passing Beit Shemesh, Moshav Zechariah, and the Azeka Junction.

Immediately after the Azeka junction turn left onto a dirt path that is accessible by any vehicle, marked with the Israel National Trail markers. Drive about 300 meters, and when the stream opens to the right, turn to it and drive a few hundred meters until the river is blocked. From here drive to the top of the hill. The eastern gate faces Emek Ha'Ela. The western gate faces Tel Azeka.