Ein Gedi is an oasis-reserve in the Judean Desert on the western shore of the Dead Sea, 17 kilometres north of Massada. 17 kilometres north of Massada. The spring, which never dries up, springs down from a height of 200 metres. metres and flows through the Nahal-David Gorge. In the reeds along the stream there are wild goats, damans. wild goats, damans, leopards; eagles and starlings nest in the rocks.
Near the gorge is Tel-Goren hill - one of the most important archaeological sites of Iudea. archaeological sites of the Judean Desert. Five archaeological layers of the hill, including the remains of a pagan sanctuary from the Chalcolithic period. Chalcolithic period.
Throughout its history, Ein Gedi has been repeatedly destroyed, but has been reborn again and again. This continued until about the 6th century, when nomadic tribes came to the area. nomadic tribes came to the area and completely devastated the land. Only the ruins of the unique water supply system the ruins of Ein Gedi's unique water system, which is still admired by experts. and the remains of a synagogue from the Roman-Byzantine period. On the on the synagogue's perfectly preserved mosaic floor is an inscription in Aramaic. Aramaic. It speaks of the punishment of the Almighty, which will befall those who divulge "the secrets of the city." Scholars believe that these secrets could be the secret of the famous balsam.
