Sidna Ali National Park

Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Sidna Ali National Park whispers tales of clashing civilizations. Sidna Ali National Park isn’t just a beautiful park. It’s a place where the echoes of Romans, Crusaders, and Mamelukes intertwine. The park encompasses the ruins of Apollonia, a city named after the Greek god Apollo, who was identified with the Phoenician god Reshef. The Romans further developed Apollonia. You can still see the remnants of a Roman villa destroyed by an earthquake in 118 AD. During the Byzantine era, Apollonia, renamed Sozousa, thrived through agriculture and glass production. A 6th-century glass furnace stands as a testament to this era. The Crusaders left their mark with a fortress, its moat and eastern gate still visible. Built for Balian of Ibelin, the fortress was a marvel, modeled on British designs. However, the Mamelukes, led by Sultan Baibars, besieged and destroyed the fortress in 1265. The Hospitaller Knights, who defended Apollonia, couldn’t withstand the Mameluke onslaught. Amidst these ruins stands the Sidna Ali Mosque. Built in 1481, it’s named after a Muslim soldier who fell fighting the Crusaders. The mosque, with its 21-meter minaret, stands alongside an ancient cemetery, a poignant reminder of the battles fought on this land. Sidna Ali National Park offers breathtaking views of the Israeli coastline. It’s a place where the past comes alive. From the ancient glass furnace to the Crusader fortress, every corner of this park holds a story.