Attention:

Access to the fortress is currently blocked due to construction.

Ashdod-Yam Fortress (Kla’at al-Mina) was built in the late 7th century BCE by the historian Abd al-Malik (685-705 BCE) on the remains of a Byzantine settlement. The fortress served as part of a coastal defense system designed to prevent Byzantine invasions from the sea. The system included a chain of Rabatath (fortresses) along the Mediterranean coast, which maintained visual contact and allowed signaling in times of danger through the raising of smoke columns during the day and smoke at night. In 1033, the fortress was damaged by an earthquake and abandoned. During the Crusader period (12th-13th centuries CE), the fortress was renovated and resettled. Its name was changed to ‘Castel Baroar.’ The fortress was finally abandoned after the expulsion of the Crusaders from the land in 1290. In preparation for the fortress’s opening to the public, excavation and preservation were carried out by the Ashdod Tourism and Antiquities Authority, with the assistance of youth and children from educational institutions in the city.

In recent days, the fortress has completed a preservation and development project that will host educational groups, cultural performances at sunset, and, of course, offer various interactive activities. These activities include an inflatable planetarium where visitors of all ages can watch a film that takes them back in time to the early periods of the fortress, “healing” ancient pottery shards, an audiovisual show (video mapping) projected on the fortress walls, special nighttime lighting, and more.

The work on the fortress included reinforcing the supporting walls, removing sand and its filtration, casting a floor, and installing pathways that make the fortress accessible to visitors and individuals with disabilities – in a way that was not available before. Additionally, various safety elements were installed to ensure a proper and safe visit to the site. Diving and lighting work was also carried out to enhance the visitor experience during all hours of the site’s operation, and cameras were installed to prevent vandalism.

Above the fortress structure, a “floating” deck was built, overlooking the site and the nearby coastline with its golden sands and turquoise waters, on an undeclared beach that enjoys tranquility and pristine nature.

The fortress site is planned to host educational and group activities for explanatory and experiential purposes about the site and the area. It will also serve as a starting point for a tour of the ecological park that extends from the fortress to the Leonardo Hotel. No entrance fees will be charged, except for guided tours for groups or for cultural events.

You can visit the fortress site throughout the week, between the hours of 9:00 AM and 10:00 PM, free of charge.

How to Get There?

To reach the fortress, you can use the access road that connects Moshe Dayan Street, Shlomo Square, and the beach. The site is available on WAZE, and there is free parking.

For coordination and further information, you can call 050-2211914.