Horbat Mamshit Things to Do

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Just before you reach the Mamshit National Archaeological Park there is a sign pointing left, to the Negev Camel Ranch. The ranch organizes 1-hour camel trips to the nearby Rotem mountain range., affording views of view of the Nabataean city Mamshit and the Yamin plain. There are longer camel rides for 2 hours and 4 hours. Children can also have a short camel ride inside the ranch.

There are also cabins for overnight stay (basic, shared bathrooms); outside the cabins there are cosy sitting corners and hammocks (see photos).

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Walking through the ancient town of Mamshit you probably will think that everything has this similar color and that the houses also had the look as they have today. But there is a room in the park that shows you a different Mamshit. Here paintings have been found and made accessible to the visitor which show a complete different look of the buildings: colorful paintings! There are protections in the door to prevent sunlight and desert winds to affect the paintings.

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The Eastern Church is the larger one of the two churches that you can find in Mamshit NP. Like the other one also the Eastern Church was built around the 4th century. On its mosaic floor you will find simple pattern. It was written on an information board in front of the church that in the year 427 there was a decree that prohibited the use of crosses on the floor in churches. As there are crosses in the Eastern church which fall under the decree, it could be that they were installed before or that the people did not care about it.

Click here to get to the official webpage of Mamshit!

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On the backside of the National Park, seen from the parking, there is a huge valley (or Wadi as it is called here). You will find good viewing points along the rim and in particular at the Eastern Church. Enjoy the landscape! And maybe you can also see the camel parade :)

Click here to get to the official webpage of Mamshit!

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It is known from Mamshit that the inhabitants started to breed Arabian horses under roman occupation. They were quite successful and got some wealth of this. Nowadays the staples can still be seen.

Click here to get to the official webpage of Mamshit!

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The Nilus Church is one of two churches of the Christian Mamshit. The church was named after his constructor Nilus who is mentioned in one inscription on the mosaic floor. The church was built in the fourth century. Have a look at the mosaic!

Click here to get to the official webpage of Mamshit!

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Walking around in the Mamshit NP you should certainly climb up the watch tower. From here you have an excellent view over the National Park and you gain overview of how the city was structured. And of course you can admire the desert landscape of this beautiful place.

The Watch Tower was used to guard one of the water reservoirs of Mamshit, a dam in the river bed closeby. Water was essential and therefore a good to be taken care of.

Click here to get to the official webpage of Mamshit!

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The ancient Mamshit was a walled town which had two city gates to protect the wealthy inhabitants from nomadic attacs. Its city wall had a length of about 860 meters. Travelling around Israel and visiting archeological sites you will see more towns with massive city gates.

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The Byzantine Bathhouse consists of three bath rooms of different temperatures: cold, warm and hot. Water was supplied from the public reservoir closeby and the heat was made in the furnace which was located inbetween the bathrooms. What you can see here are the heating system and the foundations of the different rooms.

Click here to get to the official webpage of Mamshit!

One of the Nabatean cities which can be found in the Negev desert, together with Shivta and Avdat. The city was called Memphis in the Nabatean period and while it's smaller than the other cities, it offers more restored houses. Like other Nabatean cities it sat on a road used for tradings in the pre-Roman world. After the Roman occupation the Nabateans had to find a new way to make a living, so they started breding Arabian horses.

See more in the travelogue.