PLACES OF INTEREST BACK

Crusader City: bordering beach. Fortified in 12th and 13th centuries. French King Louis IX built moat, 10 m. wide and 15 m. deep, and massive walls. Restored bridge to main gate, close by remains of 10-m.-high defensive tower. Ruins of Cathedral of St. Paul built on rubble of Caesar's temple. Crusader harbour, atop Byzantine and Roman ports, is west of Crusader city. Open daily. Entrance fee (includes a visit to Roman Amphitheatre).

Hippodrome: north of Street of Statues. Entrance through stone gate decorated with cross off main road. Roman horse-racing course 320 m. long and 60 m. wide. Three conical blocks were polished to reflect sun and excite the horses.

Roman Amphitheatre: south of Crusader city near Sedot Yam beach. Built in 2nd century and excavated and restored by National Parks Authority in 1961. Rivalled only by Roman amphitheatre at Bet Shean in size and state of preservation. Mid-summer concerts held here.

Roman Aqueduct: north of Crusader city above sand dunes on beach. Built in 2nd century to conduct fresh water from Carmel mountain range for Caesarea residents.

Street of Statues: east of Crusader city. Within 5th-century Byzantine forum. Giant headless statues, one of white marble from 2nd century, the other in red porphyry of 3rd century, uncovered by chance in 1954. Greek inscription in mosaic floor. To continue to Haifa drive along the road at right angles to the Crusader City, pass the golf course and hotel and, at the junction with the old road (No. 4) to Haifa, turn left. The Golf Course is open every day.

The development town of Or Aqiva, named after the 2nd-century Rabbi Akiva who was martyred at Caesarea, is built near this junction. It houses many immigrants who came to Israel in the fifties and who lived in makeshift tents and shacks at Caesarea.

This is vineyard territory and the Sharon Valley becomes a mass of green during the season. There are also many banana plantations. Pass Binyamina and Beit Hananiya, keeping track with the railway lines between the main highway (No. 2) and Road No. 4, which you are on. A signpost points right to Zikhron Yaaqov, 3 km. further up the hill on Road No. 652.