Canaanite fortress in Judean Lowlands reopens after renovation

Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund re-inaugurated the Gal’on Fortress on Thursday morning, opening the 12th-century BCE site to the public after extensive conservation work. The renovation, completed in collaboration with the Israel Antiquities Authority, cost approximately 400,000 NIS. The project included preserving the citadel’s structure, applying a preservative coating that blends with the surrounding landscape, and installing new visitor infrastructure.

Located in the Guvrin Forest in the Judean Lowlands, the fortress sits near Kibbutz Gal On in southern Israel. It was discovered during excavations led by Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists Dr. Saar Ganor and Dr. Itamar Weissbein in 2018 and 2019. The site is surrounded by conifers, broad-leaved trees, and Mediterranean shrubbery. Archaeologists believe the structure was built to protect local Canaanite inhabitants from foreign incursions, possibly from the Philistines.

The fortress measures roughly 18 by 18 meters and features watch towers at each corner. A solid rock threshold weighing approximately 3 tons marks the entrance. Inside, a stone-covered court with central columns is flanked by rooms that served as living quarters and storehouses. Thousands of earthenware pieces were found in these chambers, some intact. Archaeologists suggest these vessels were used for worshiping local gods.

Ganor and Weissbein stated that the site offers insight into the geopolitical realities described in the biblical Book of Judges. They noted that at the start of the 12th century BCE, the land was ruled by Egyptians, whose subjects included the local inhabitants. The arrival of the Israelites and Philistines introduced new players into the region, leading to territorial struggles. The fortress’s strategic position overlooking the main road between the coastal plain and the Judean Lowlands suggests it was part of an attempt to manage this new situation.

KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky said the organization aims to preserve heritage sites while making them accessible. He described the fortress as an opportunity for the public to experience a chapter of the country’s history firsthand within the Guvrin Forest. The new infrastructure includes a parking area, a new access road, a picnic area, and a signage system. Handicapped-accessible parking and a path to the citadel were also installed.

Ami Shahar, conservation deputy director-general at the Israel Antiquities Authority, emphasized that preservation is a continuation of the archaeological process. He stated that the collaboration between the two organizations began with excavation and culminated in opening the site to visitors. Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu commented that the fortress serves as a reminder of historical struggles for the land, noting that the site connects visitors to their roots and sharpens the responsibility to protect the area.

The site is now open for visitors to explore the remains of the ancient fortress and the surrounding natural environment. The renovation ensures the site remains preserved for future generations while allowing the public to engage with the historical and natural features of the Judean Lowlands.