Gamla

Gamla

Fly over the Gamla archaeological site and Yehudiya Nature Reserve located in the Golan Heights. This video features the spectacular waterfalls of the nature reserve and some of the archaeological ruins found at the site. The name Gamla is derived from the word gamal, meaning 'camel', as it is situated on a hill shaped like a camel's hump. Today, Gamla is also known as 'the island of eagles' and the nature reserve attracts many people who enjoy watching eagles in their natural habitat.

The site, inhabited since the Early Bronze Age, became the capital of the Jewish Golan from 87 BC to 68 AD when it was sacked by the Romans. Gamla is most famous for its strong defense against the Romans in the Jewish Revolt in 66 A.D. Through archaeological excavations a fortress that includes, a city wall, a gate, synagogue, mikvah, oil presses, residential quarter and productive area have been discovered. The synagogue is quite possibly the earliest synagogue found in Israel (first century BCE).