Yehi’am (judin) Fortress

Built in the 12th century by the Templars, Judin Fortress (tel. 92 48 09) was passed i on to the Teutonic Knights in the 13th. Although destroyed by the Mamluk Sultan Baybars in 1265, visitors can see remains of restoration efforts done 500 years later by Mahad al-Hussein, the local sheikh; in 1738, the fortress was conquered by the Bedouin ruler Dahar al-Omar.

Kibbutz Yehi’am was started in 1946 by a group that settled in the deserted castle; the fortress is still within the kibbutz grounds, and now even bears its name. Impressive views of the Western Galilee highlands are afforded from the well-preserved tower. (Open Sun.-Thurs. 8am-5pm, Fri. and holidays 8am-4pm. Admission NIS5, students NIS3-30) Buses #39 and 42 (NIS4.50) from Nahariya stop right by the fortress.