Apollonia–Arsuf
Apollonia (Ancient Greek: Ἀπολλωνία; Hebrew: אפולוניה), known in the Early Islamic period as Arsuf (Arabic: أرْسُوف, romanized: Arsūf) and in the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem as Arsur, was an ancient city on the Mediterranean coast of today's Israel. In Israeli archaeology it is known as Tel Arshaf (תֵּל אַרְשָׁף). Founded by the Phoenicians during the Persian period in the late sixth century BCE, it was inhabited continuously until the Crusader period, through the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, during the latter being renamed to Sozusa (Ancient Greek: Σώζουσα, or Sozusa in Palaestina to differentiate it from Sozusa in Libya). It was situated on a sandy area ending towards the sea with a cliff, about 34 kilometres (21 mi) south of Caesarea.
Ἀπολλωνία Σώζουσα אפולוניה أرْسُوف Arsur | |
An aerial view of the Crusader castle and anchorage | |
Shown within Central Israel | |
| Alternative name | Arsur |
|---|---|
| Location | Tel Aviv District, Israel |
| Coordinates | 32°11′43″N 34°48′24″E |
| Grid position | 132/178 PAL |
| Type | Lowland castle (for the city citadel) |
| History | |
| Abandoned | 1265 |
| Periods | Mainly Early Islamic and Crusader periods |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Public access | Yes, national park |
| Website | Apollonia National Park – Israel Nature and Parks Authority |
It fell to the Muslims in 640, was fortified against Byzantine attacks and became known as Arsuf. In 1101 it was conquered by the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, and was a strategically important stronghold in the Third Crusade, during which the Battle of Arsuf (1191) was fought nearby. The fortified city and the castle fell to the Mamluks in 1265, when both were completely destroyed.
The site of Arsuf (also Apollonia–Arsuf אַפּוֹלוֹנְיָה-אַרְסוּף) is now in Herzliya municipality, Israel (just north of Tel Aviv). The site was intensively excavated from 1994. In 2002 Apollonia National Park was opened to the public.