Avdat

If you'd like to visit a site on your Holy Land tour that is rich with history, make a stop in Avdat. Rising above the streambed of the Wilderness of Zin, the ruins of Avdat are located in the Negev Highlands. Throughout history Avdat has seen many different groups of people-the Israelites wandered there and the sons of Nagatean passed through with spices toward Mediterranean founded it. It became a stopover for traveling caravans along with Shivta and Mamshit. During Roman rule, Avdat developed from a caravansary into a city. Things continued to change when the Byzantines brought Christianity to Negev, erecting churches where Nabatean shrines had once stood. During your stop in Avdat on your tour to the Holy Land, you will be able to visit one church in particular that has a beautiful baptistery. A Byzantine courtyard house has been reconstructed and can be walked through by visitors.