The city of Afula (Israel) is located in the north of the country, in an area called Galilee. It is developing rapidly, the construction of seven new quarters has begun here, the population is constantly increasing due to the regular influx of repatriates. As in all of Israel, the area has historical and biblical significance. What is interesting about Afula?
Biblical places
The area where the city of Afula is located is called Galilee. The name comes from the Hebrew word "gal", which translates as a wave. If you look closely at the area from a bird's eye view, you will notice that low mountains alternate with valleys, which in general looks like sea waves frozen in stone.
At the epicenter of these waves lies the Jezreel Valley. Its second name is Megiddo. Mount Megiddo rises in the center of the valley. According to the Bible, this is where the epic battle between Good and Evil, mentioned in the Apocalypse, will take place. From this valley, after the end of the world, the Kingdom of God will come into the world. In the vicinity of the city there is another biblical shrine - Mount Tabor, on which theTransfiguration of the Lord.
History of the city
The city of Afula (Israel) was founded in 1925. The founder of the settlement is Yehoshua Hankin, a native of Russia. Arriving at the place, he actively bought up land in the valley at a very reasonable price. The area was not very suitable for life and agriculture due to the constant swampiness.
Arriving repatriates made a lot of efforts to improve the situation and soon were able to harvest from their crops. In 1972, the settlement received the status of a city, which attracted a greater flow of people who are counting on permanent residence. After Israel's independence, the population increased dramatically. In the 90s of the last century, the main flow of immigrants consisted of emigrants from the countries of the former USSR. Today, more than 30% of all residents are former citizens of various CIS countries.
Modernity
Today, the city of Afula (Israel) consists of three districts: Afula-Ilit (upper Afula) and Giv'at a-More, spread out on Mount More, and the third is rapidly being built up - Lower Afula, located below sea level on 40 meters. Mount Moret is made up of volcanic bas alt rock and has a pine forest growing on its slopes where you can pick mushrooms.
In 2016, a passenger rail service was opened between Haifa and Beit Shean with a stop in Afula. The construction of the branch began in 2011, it was laid along approximately the same route as the once famous road that passed through the Jezreel Valley at the beginning of the 20th century.
The city is constantly building new infrastructure and industrial complexes. One of the best educational institutions is the Emek Jezreel College, which operates a nursing school that annually graduates specialists with excellent training and high qualifications.
Industry
The city of Afula (Israel) is considered the center of the country's sugar industry, one of the country's largest modern refineries operates here. There is also a textile factory specializing in the production of nylon fabrics.
Afula is surrounded by kibbutzim, where sunflowers are the main crop, so sunflower seeds and sunflower oil are produced here. In addition to domestic companies, branches of several well-known world brands operate in the industrial zone of the city.
Attractions
Afula (Israel) cannot boast of an abundance of historical and archaeological sites. Many valuables were lost during construction. The architecture of the city is quite modest, but there are several interesting buildings in the surrounding kibbutzim. There are three national parks near the city - Beit Shearim, Tzapori and Megiddo.
In addition, tourists will be interested to get acquainted with such sights:
- An old water tower built in the 1930s.
- Palm alley in the city center with a small park "Japanese garden".
- The building and platform of the old railway station. Railway communication took place in these places long before the appearance of the city of Afula (Israel). The canvas connected Haifa and Damascus.
- Monument to a soldier.
- The ancient mound of Tel Afula. It is located almost in the center of the city. The southern part of the mound is the best preserved. In 1948, excavations were carried out, the result was the discovery of a cultural layer of the Bronze Age. In the area of the water tower, archaeologists have discovered tombs dating from different periods of the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and the Roman period.
Not far from the city of Afula (Israel) are the Church of the Annunciation, the temple of Gabriel, the well of Mary, the Harod Spring reserve, the Khankin Museum.
Tourism
Afula is unlikely to attract tourists anytime soon. This city has yet to become a cultural and industrial center. There are many other places in this country where tourists go every day in search of new experiences and relaxation. Thematic tours to Israel from St. Petersburg and other cities of Russia will introduce tourists to the land where the world's leading religions are firmly intertwined, and the land remembers the ancestors of mankind and is waiting for the fulfillment of biblical prophecies.
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Nazareth and other cities will give the tourist a lot of impressions and new knowledge. Any person will find in this country something that will be close to him. Those who want to visit the holy places will need more than one day to touch and bow to all the preserved monuments. People who want to spend time inthe bliss of a comfortable stay in Israel, they will find heaven on earth. Those who need treatment will receive the best qualified care.
Tips & Feedback
What can you bring from Israel to your loved ones? This question is important for every tourist. Experienced travelers are advised not to opt for banal things such as key chains or magnets, but to pay attention to things that bear the imprint of culture. The country has a developed jewelry business, which is greatly facilitated by the Tel Aviv Diamond Exchange. If buying diamond jewelry isn't your thing, look no further than expertly crafted jewelry and sterling silver jewelry.
The markets and specialized departments of the shopping center offer a huge selection of ceramics - painted plates, dishes, decorative panels made in the traditional technique and pleasing to the eye, but they cost relatively little. Also, many will like masterfully made copies of archaeological treasures, which will certainly become art objects in any living room.
In general, tourists recommend paying attention to the following purchases:
- Red thread - it is tied into seven knots, making wishes. It is believed that as soon as the knots are untied, wishes will come true.
- Dead Sea cosmetics.
- Religious attributes.
- Eilat stone jewelry.
- Antiques.
- Dates, honey, hummus and more.
When going for souvenirs, it is worth remembering that shops in Israel are open from Sunday to Friday, Saturday is a day off. Alsoexperienced tourists are advised not to throw away checks. Religious paraphernalia of any denomination is best purchased in Jerusalem or Bethlehem.
Reviews written about Israel tell about a small but amazing country. There will not be a person who has visited the Promised Land, who would be disappointed in the journey. Many say that Russian can be heard on the streets of Israeli cities in any part of the country, so our compatriots do not need an interpreter or knowledge of other foreign languages.
Tourists complain about only two circumstances - the high cost and too hot summer. In this connection, it is recommended to avoid trips from June to September, as well as take a decent amount of money with you and be sure to read local forums where goods and services are discussed, many of them are conducted in Russian.
