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Mount Carmel is 16 miles long by 4-5 miles wide and 1,800
feet high. Its name is derived from the Arabic "El
Karem" which means
vineyards of God. In ancient times it was covered by vineyards and was at
all times famous for its fertility. It remains green throughout the year and
is the most charming mountain in Palestine. It was a symbol of beauty and grace
for the prophets and its heights served as altars for different gods since
ancient times. |
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Mount Carmel was forever renowned as being the scene of a
contest between monotheism and paganism, as it was here that the prophet
Elijah challenged the priests of Baal and confounded them when their
incantations failed and his own drew fire from heaven. At the foot of
Mount
Carmel, near the coastal suburb, is the sacred cave of the prophet Elijah.
It is believed that here Elijah took refuge during on e of his flights from
the anger of King Ahab. The cave is a sacred Jewish shrine, venerated also
by Christians and Moslems who revere
Elijah as the hero of the triumph of
monotheism. The Carmelite monastic order established themselves here in the
13th century with the prophet Elijah as their patron saint.
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Although Mount Carmel is not very high (the highest point
is 528m) the view from here is very beautiful , the
Mediterranean sea, trees and more.
there are many things to do and see here on the mountain. |
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The Carmel mountain is the green lung of
Haifa. The
mountains contains some national parks that in weekends becomes to the
countries barbecue center and the traffic jams to this direction can be
sometimes unbearable but at the end it worth it. Around the mountains you
can find some other attraction such druse villages, some kibbutzim and even
little stands that sell druse food along the road can be quite interesting.
From the Carmel mountains you can find some amazing views to the
city of
Haifa. |
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