Those of you who know a thing or two about ancient Israel
will know that Gezer was about as important a city as you could get. Predating
the arrival of the Israelites, it is mentioned many times in Tanach, the Jewish
Bible, and it's location has hardly been a secret. Sitting at the junction of
the Via Maris, the ancient coastal route from Egypt to Mesopotamia, and the
road to Jerusalem, it was almost inevitable that it would become occupied and
fought over many times. Recent excavations have shown a well fortified
Israelite city with the now familiar Solomonic Gates, although we all now
understand that they may not have exactly been the sole invention of King
Solomon himself!
So when you see the Tel Gezer National Park marked on a map,
not too far from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, you would immediately think that once
again, Israel has managed to combine our story, history and recreation. And you
would be wrong.
The Tel Gezer park does indeed exist, and the access from
route 40 is almost easy to find, if you keep your eyes peeled. But do not
expect an easy walk to the excavations, as at Megiddo or Hazor, with well
maintained signs, tracks, or even toilets. In fact, you can only reach the
ancient site by a 4x4 track or a very considerable walk. What is easy to find,
though, is a most attractive drive around the perimeter of the park,
thoughtfully laid out by JNF together with some attractive picnic spots. As you
drive - and occasionally stop - it is easy to see why Gezer had assumes such
strategic significance. On a clear day, you can see right across the Shephela
to the coast, or at least as far as the outskirts of Tel Aviv. In the other
direction, you can see the foothills of the Judean mountains and can imagine
yourself mounting sentry guard at the gate. Well, at least you could if you
could get there easily!
You can find the entrance to the park on route 44, just
north of the junction with route 3.
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