Gan Hashlosha/Sachne

A special site in the north of Israel with a very long history. It's also one of the most beautiful places in the country.

A view from the top

The river and warm water pools are fed by nearby springs and flow east toward the Jordan River.

The river and Roman ruins

Etruscan, Mycenean, Minoan, ancient Hebrew, Egyptian, Persian, Hellentisic Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Arab artifacts have been found here.

View from the top of a waterfall

The Romans built several pools, a dam, a flour mill, and aquaduct to supply the nearby town of Beit Shean (changed to Scythopolis at the time), which was deserted in the 8th century CE (~1,300 years ago) after an earthquake.

Roman building still in use

Aqueduct to power the mill

Roman dam

The steps in the cliffs of one of the pools show evidence of a Roman water theatre, the first of its kind in Israel.

Roman pool with steps

The park (Gan Hashlosha) is named after 3 land surveyors who were killed in 1938 by a land mine during the Arab revolts of 1936-1939 (during the British Mandate period). The Arabic name of "Sachne", which means "hot pools," is commonly used.

There's a beautiful garden

There's plenty of fish

The garden and water

Here's some more photos from the area.