Perillo Tours

Jericho, located on the West Bank of the Palestinian territories near the Jordan River, is widely considered the oldest continuously-inhabited city on Earth, with settlements dating back to about 8,500 BC. Not surprisingly, Jericho is also among the the most excavated archeological sites in Israel.

Although Jericho was an important city, it was not large, covering only about 10 acres. To this day, a perennial spring supplies plenty of water – Jericho is truly a tropical oasis. Production of dates here goes back to biblical times. In fact, Jericho figures prominently in both the Old Testament and New Testament.  Its most famous mention is certainly that in Joshua, when its “walls came tumbling down.”  Archeologically, the destruction of Jericho's walls can be dated to around 1550 BC, caused by fire – probably due to a siege or an earthquake. While experts differ as to whether these are the walls mentioned in the Bible, many other Canaanite cities were destroyed around this time, too.

Also mentioned in Joshua is the nearby Canaanite city of Beit She’an, and its conquest by David. Today, the site of the ancient city is one of the largest, most unique sights in Israel. Impressive remains, from as early as the 5th millennium BC, include many well-preserved buildings and artifacts – a large Roman theater, built in the 2nd century, ancient colonnaded streets paved with basalt stones, a huge bathhouse with mosaic floors, a Roman temple, a fountain and more await the visitor. Excavations and reconstruction are in progress; it is hoped that this will be the best tourist attraction in Israel.