Nimrod's Fortress

After Tel Fahar we drove back along Rte. 99 to Nimrod's Fortress, which was accessed by a long winding road. The fortress was built by the Mamlukes and the famous Sultan Baybars, and later was used by the Crusaders. Lily and I agreed that the perfect time to visit would be at night during a thunderstorm. Mount Hermon, the highest point in Israel, stood shrouded in dark clouds to the North, while below us villages and farms sat, green, and bathed in sunlight.

After exploring Nimrod's Fortress, we drove back to Tiberias by way of Katzrin, considered the main city of the Golan.

Above: The symbol of the Persians was unearthed by archaelogists. Below it was the following inscription: "In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, this blessed tower was renewed by the grace of our lord the Sultan al-Malik al-Zahir, the most splendid master, the scholar, the just, the fighter of the holy war, the warrior on the border, the heavenly assisted, the victorious, Rukn al-Dunya wa'l-Din, sultan of Islam and the Muslims, killer of rebelious deviators, renewer of justice in the whole world, Abu 'l-Fath Baybars al-Sahili, the partner of the commander of the Faithful ... July 1275."

Above text: The Golan Heights from Tal Fahar, Nimrod's Fortress.