Click to enlarge the photo

The city of Hippos, also known well as Susita, was founded on this hill overlooking the eastern shore of the sea of Galilee during the Hellenistic period in the second century BCE.

The first residents of the city were pagans who later converted to Christianity. At their side lived a small Jewish community as well. Most of the ruins visible today date to the Roman and Byzantine periods (first century BCE – seventh century CE).

They include a city gate, a main colonnaded street, a defense wall with fortified towers, a sophisticated water supply system, a main square (the Forum), a reservoir, a sanctuary, churches, a baptistery and more.

The city was apparently destroyed by an earthquake in 749 CE and was never resettled. During Israel’s war of independence in 1948, members of Kibuts En-Gev, located at the foot of the hill, took control of Susita. It served as a front-line military command post until the six day war in 1967.

Once you reach the town expect a great view to the Tiberias and the Kineret lake.

Breath taking view of Kineret lake and the surrounding area. Click photo to enlarge

Carved stone

Recent excavation carried out by University of Haifa, exposed a wall painting of Tyche, Greek goddess of fortune. Click photo to read the JPost.com article.