Al Bass Archaeological Site

Top choice

This sprawling site lies 2km east of the centre, entered off the highway. Just past the entrance is a vast funerary complex, with hundreds of ornate sarcophagi and tombs, several still filled with bones. Next to it, a well-preserved Roman road stretches through an impressive 20m-high monumental archway, probably dating from Hadrian's 2nd-century-AD reign. Beyond it is a large and well preserved Roman hippodrome built in the 2nd century AD; this once held more than 20,000 spectators.

The site's museum is under gradual restoration, but don't expect it to open any time soon.

Contact

Address

Route 51

Get In Touch

07 740 530

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Upper Galilee Museum of Prehistory
22.95 MILES
Israel is home to some of the world's most important prehistoric sites, several of them in the Hula Valley. This gem of a museum, which draws…
Agamon HaHula
25.22 MILES
These restored wetlands are one of the best places in Israel to see cranes, pelicans, storks and an incredible 400 other bird species. To cover the 8.5km…
Rosh HaNikra Grottoes
13.81 MILES
Bone-white limestone cliffs seem to burst from the deep blue sea at this geological beauty spot straddling the Israel–Lebanon border. A cable car descends…
Banias Nature Reserve
27.06 MILES
The gushing springs, waterfalls and lushly shaded streams of Banias Nature Reserve form one of the most beautiful – and popular – nature spots in the…
Nimrod Fortress
29.03 MILES
Built by Muslims in the 13th century to protect the road from Tyre to Damascus, Nimrod Fortress rises fairy-tale-like on a long, narrow ridge (altitude…
Hula Nature Reserve
26.5 MILES
Migrating birds flock to the wetlands of Israel’s first nature reserve, founded in 1964. More than 200 species of waterfowl mingle happily with cormorants…
Caro Synagogue
26.26 MILES
Decorated with Middle Eastern arches, hanging lamps and bookshelves heavy with holy texts, this synagogue – like the street it’s on – is named in…
Ashkenazi Ari Synagogue
26.2 MILES
Founded in the 16th century by Sephardic Jews from Greece, this venerable synagogue looks much as it did 150 years ago. It stands on the site where,…

View more attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Roman Necropolis

0.11 MILES

Part of the Al Bass archaeological site, this sizeable funerary complex has hundreds of ornate stone and marble sarcophagi as well as collective tomb…

2. Roman Road

0.18 MILES

A Roman road stretches for about 1.6km through an impressive 20m-high monumental archway that probably dates from the time of Emperor Hadrian (2nd century…

3. Monumental Archway

0.25 MILES

This impressive archway towers over the Roman road that runs beneath it. It marked the entrance to the city and probably dates from the time of Emperor…

4. Hippodrome

0.31 MILES

Part of the Al Bass archaeological site, this well-preserved Roman hippodrome was built in the 2nd century AD and once held more than 20,000 spectators. A…

5. Aqueducts

0.32 MILES

Part of the Al Bass archaeological site, these aqueducts run parallel to the Roman road and once supplied the city with fresh water from the inland hills.

6. Al Mina Archaeological Site

0.99 MILES

Dating from the 3rd millennium BC, these atmospheric ruins cover a large area leading down to an ancient submerged harbour. Highlights include a street…

7. Roman Bathhouse

1.04 MILES

This unusually large bathhouse at the Al Mina ruins complex dates from the 2nd or 3rd century AD. You can clearly see the masses of brick columns that…

8. Mosaic Street

1.06 MILES

From the entrance of the Al Mina archaeological complex, you pass down this street paved with geometrical Roman and Byzantine mosaics, on each side of…

View more attractions