Peki'in HaHadasha offers two distinct local points of interest for those interested in culture: Horvat Abad and the town's founding history. Peki'in HaHadasha is located on a ridge, which is also the site of Horvat Abad. The ruin lies south of Nahal Peki'in; building remains from Roman and Byzantine times have been uncovered in its southern section. The site's location is thus linked to specific archaeological periods.
Horvat Abad and the Town's History
The founding of Peki'in HaHadasha is a distinct part of the town's history: Two groups from Morocco founded the town at the initiative and with the support of President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi. Thus, alongside the archaeological building remains, the groups involved and the impetus for the founding are also in focus. When planning your visit, you can distinguish between these themes: Horvat Abad points to Roman and Byzantine building remains, while the founding history tells of the town's establishment by the two groups.
Ein Tiria and Nahal Peki'in
In the surrounding area, Ein Tiria can be reached by a careful descent from the tomb of Rabbi Hoshaia Ish Tiriya to the streambed of Nahal Peki'in below. Take care on the descent, and check conditions before your visit. This excursion offers a different focus from exploring Horvat Abad: here, the descent and streambed are the main features, while there, the archaeological building remains are in focus.
Archaeological Themes in the Northern District
In the wider destination of the Northern District, Tel Hazor and Tel Megiddo offer further cultural and historical perspectives. They have a different focus from Peki'in HaHadasha's local founding history and the building remains of Horvat Abad. If you plan your trip by theme, you can consider local history and different archaeological themes separately.
At Tel Hazor, the visit focuses on the upper city. The site's archaeological features include Solomon's Gate, dating to the 10th century BCE, with six chambers and two towers, as well as the Canaanite palace. The kings of Hazor used this palace in the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. The Late Bronze Age palace is considered the most elaborate in Israel and one of the most significant in the Levant.
Another topic at Tel Hazor is the underground water collection system. Its significant remains represent sophisticated engineering adapted to the geographical conditions for storing water. The excavated shaft is 45 meters deep, with steps three meters wide cut into its walls. The palace, gate, and water system make Tel Hazor a regional archaeological focus, with a range of architectural and technical aspects.
Tel Megiddo offers a different focus. The biblical tell preserves significant remains of a city with biblical associations and is closely linked to events in the Bible. Its orthogonal Iron Age city plan has few parallels in the Levant. The Early Bronze Age temple complex is also notable: its number of temples, the continuity of worship, and the documented ritual activities are considered exceptional.
The regional themes can thus be clearly distinguished: Tel Hazor brings water storage, the palace, and the gate into focus, among other things, while Tel Megiddo highlights urban planning and cult history. For Peki'in HaHadasha, its own founding history and Horvat Abad remain the local points of reference. This distinction helps you choose the cultural focus of your trip without combining the different places into a single local history.
Discover more destinations: Bar'am, Shibli, Karkom, Kafr Kanna, Shavei Zion, Yiftaẖ, Misgav Am, Tirat Ẕevi
View the broader travel overview: Northern District.
