Northern District: Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo

In the Northern District, you can plan a trip around archaeological sites. Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo are biblical tells with significant remains of cities associated with the Bible. Each site has its own character: at Tel Hazor, the Upper City, palace, gate, and water system are among the main features; Tel Megiddo combines an exceptional temple complex with an Iron Age city plan. These differences can help you choose your trip based on the themes that interest you most.

Tel Hazor: Upper City, palace, and water system

A visit to Tel Hazor focuses on the Upper City. Its archaeological features include Solomon’s Gate, a six-chambered gate with two towers dating from the 10th century BCE. The palace also offers a point of reference in time: the Canaanite palace was used by the kings of Hazor in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. The Late Bronze Age palace is described as the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most important in the Levant.

Water supply is another theme. Tel Hazor preserves significant remains of an underground water-collection system, an advanced engineering solution for water storage adapted to the geographical conditions. Three-meter-wide steps are cut into the walls of the vertical shaft; the excavated shaft is 45 meters deep. Tel Hazor therefore offers a look at an underground system as well as above-ground structures.

The fortifications are another striking feature: they are considered the best example of their kind in an area stretching from southern Turkey to the northern Negev. Together with the palace and gate, they provide a multifaceted picture of Tel Hazor’s architectural remains. If you would like to visit this national park, you can approach from the north or south via Route 90 toward Ayelet Hashahar. Check your navigation before setting out.

Tel Megiddo: temple complex and city plan

Tel Megiddo is one of the three tells that preserve significant remains of cities associated with the Bible and are closely connected with biblical events. An Early Bronze Age temple complex is exceptional for the number of its temples, the continuity of cult activity, and the documented ritual activities. These features give the complex a different character from the gates and water structures that particularly distinguish Tel Hazor.

Another distinctive feature of Tel Megiddo is its orthogonal Iron Age city plan, which has few parallels in the Levant. The Early Bronze Age temple complex and the Iron Age city plan point to different periods. Comparing the two sites therefore offers a clear thematic distinction: Tel Hazor can be explored through its palace, fortifications, and waterworks, while Tel Megiddo stands out for its temple complex and rare city plan.

Context in Israel and choosing a hotel

In the wider destination of Israel, the property of the Biblical Tells extends from Tel Hazor in the north to Tel Beer Sheba near the Negev Desert in the south. The north–south extent of the property helps you place Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo in the wider national context of the Biblical Tells. When planning your stay in the Northern District, you can focus on the specific differences between Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo, then decide which themes you want to shape your visit.

When looking for a hotel in the Northern District, it makes sense to decide first what you want to focus on during your visit. If you are mainly interested in the palace, Solomon’s Gate, and the underground water system, Tel Hazor offers several distinct archaeological themes. The Route 90 directions refer to Tel Hazor National Park; check the destinations and routes separately for the rest of your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Shavei Zion, She'ar Yashuv, Netiv Hashayara, Acre, Kinneret, Kafr Kanna, Safsufa, Migdal HaEmek, Bar'am, Barak, Majd al-Krum, Karkom, Karmi'el, Lavon, Yizrael, Kinneret, Peki'in HaHadasha, Umm el Ghanam, Tirat Ẕevi, Yiftaẖ, H̱aluẕ, Tsipori, Shibli, Kiryat Shmona, Harashim, En Dor, Beit Rimon, Me'ona, Ashdot Ya'akov Meuhad, Julis, Dishon, Kfar HaNassi, Tel Adashim, Lotem, Nazareth Illit, Beit Keshet, Misgav Am, Reshafim, Gita, Gilon, Netu'a, Kafr Manda, Sheikh Danun, Kfar Kama, Ramat Yishai.

To the wider travel overview: Israel.