Sidonian Cave (Beit Guvrin Park)

Burial chambers of Apollophanes

In Beit Guvrin Park you can find a series of caves that were originally built as burial chambers.

Entering a burial cave

The most impressive burial caves were built in the 3rd century BCE (~2,200 years ago) for the family of a man called Apollophanes.

Chamber for Apollophanes

He was a leader of the Sidonian (people from the nearby city of Sidon) community in Maresha (name of the Jewish city at the time).

Beautiful wall art

An inscription found inside identified the exact site of Maresha.

Inscription and wall art

Burial chambers and wall art

There are several caves, but many are still being excavated and are closed to visitors.

Here of some more photos we took of the only cave that was open to visit the day we visited.

Read more about Maresha and Beit Guvrin Park