Rosh Hanikra Israel

Throughout human history, Rosh Hnikra served as passage point for trade caravans and armies between Lebanon, Syria and the northern cultures, and Israel Egypt, Africa - the southern cultures. Jewish sages referred to the cliff as The Ladder of Tire. After the arab conquest, the site was renamed A-Nawakir (the grottos) The present name Rosh-Hanikra, is a hebraicized version of a latter dated Arabic variation Ras-A-Nakura.Alexander of Macadonea is credited for having hewed a tunnel at Rosh Hanikra to create a passageway for his army after sieing Tire. Documents and drawings of pilgrims show stairways carved into the rock, facilitating caravans.The first road accessible to motor vehicles was made by British army in world war one. During the second World war the British dug a tunnel 250 meters long for the railway running between Haifa and Beirut, thus allowing easy access for army cargo shipped from Egypt to the north. At the time of the British Mandate in Palestine, a road was paved and made available for commercial and private use. A border station and duty office were established at the site. After the withdrawal of British police forces, the area came under Israeli control. The Lebanese border post is located 2 km. of Rosh Hanikra. In March 1948, during Israel's Independence War, the Palmach blew up the railway bridges in the grottos to thwart a possible invasion of the Lebanese army. The Grottos are cavernous tunnels formed by sea action on the soft chalk rock. the total length is some 200 meters. They branch off in various directions with some interconnecting segments. In the past the only access to them was from the sea and experienced divers were the only ones fortunate enough to visit here. This rare beauty was made accessible to the general public when, in 1968, a tunnel was dug to the natural grottos. the tunnel was constructed slightly above the sea surface. It is 400 meters long and took two years to complete. Cable Cars To facilitate the approach to the cavern entrance, a cableway, with cars, was installed. About ten passengers may ride in each car. The ride takes about a minute in each direction and provides a panoramic view of the cliff and sea. The cableway operates year round. photo by Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye.