You won't be the first to rub your eyes in disbelief on entering Arad. When the
first families moved into tents and asbestos huts here in 1962, there wasn't a
single tree or road. There were only the crinkled desert surfaces and the
stretched goatskin tents of the Bedouin.
Today Arad boasts flowering, tree-lined boulevards, deluxe hotels with
swimming pools, supermarkets, and spacious villas whose market value has soared
over the years. There are more than 23,000 residents.
Three factors have made it the most dynamic development town in Israel. First and foremost it was settled by young Israelis, who were later joined by thousands of new immigrants yearning for the challenge of building a new town out of nothing. The development of the Dead Sea Chemical Works and the discovery of gas at nearby Rosh Zohar called for a new town to house the workers. Finally, the dry, pollen-free air, with sunny days, proved a boon to people suffering from asthma. The town authorities are determined to protect the environment and a team of experts has the power of veto over every kind of vegetation planted in Arad. (See ``Health Resorts.'') As a result tourism is booming. The hotels are built on the eastern border, close to the edge of the plateau, and overlooking the Dead Sea some 1,000 m. below.
(See ``Accommodation'' section at the end of the route.) There are many
eating places - restaurants, snack bars, felafel stands, pizza and ice cream
parlours - at the Commercial Centre near the Arad mall.
Tourist Information Office:
Visitors' Centre, tel. (07)958144.
Open: daily 9 a.m. - 12 noon, 4 - 7 p.m.
There is an archaeological center with workshops and guided tours. Tel.
(07)954445.
Tel Arad, an ancient Canaanite/Israelite city, with a chain of
habitation unbroken over a period of several thousand years, is located 7 km.
west of the modern city of Arad. Arad was already an ancient city when its king
barred Moses and the Children of Israel from passing through in their march
north from the Negev (Numbers 21:1, 33:40), and when the monarch was vanquished
in battle with Joshua (Joshua 12:14).
There are two roads from Arad to Massada. The one leading northeast
along Rehov Moab winds down hilly terrain for 22 km. However, the ascent is on
foot, up the Roman ramp, and since there is no through road to the Dead Sea,
you must return all the way back to Arad. Take the other road, eastwards, down
to the Dead Sea if you want to take the cablecar up Massada or continue to En
Gedi and points north.
The first route is normally used by visitors wanting to climb Massada
the easy way. It takes about 15 minutes over the western Roman ramp to the
summit, as opposed to the 60-minute walk up the eastern face on the Snake Path.
At the end of this road, at the base of Massada, you can see the mound
where the remains of the defenders of Massada were buried with full military
honours in 1969. Close by are some of the Roman siege camps and dykes. However,
they are out of bounds to visitors because they have not yet been thoroughly
excavated.
The second, busiest route from Arad to Massada spirals down southeast on
Road No. 31. Six kilometres from Arad a road branches off right to Elat. After
a further 12 km. you arrive at sea level the Dead Sea lies 403 m. below this
point.
Drive on for 3 km. and stop at the observation post. Look down the
normally dry river bed of Nahal Zohar. See the brick walls clinging to the same
coloured mound resembling congealed jelly. That's Metzad Zohar (Glorious
Stronghold), built by the Romans and Byzantines to guard the way to Edom. If
you want to walk down the 800 m. long path, tread carefully. It will be easier
if you have rubber-soled shoes.
Continue on for a few hundred metres where another observation spot overlooks much of the Dead Sea area, with the salt-encrusted earth flashing and sparkling in the sunlight. Descend to Road No. 90, which runs parallel to the Dead Sea.
There is a gas station and restaurant at the Neve Zohar junction, where
you will also find a museum and a youth hostel.