Jisr az-Zarqa

The town of Jisr a-Zarka is named after the Ottoman northern bridge, which is located above Zarka river (Crocodile river). Next to the bridge were built flour mills, which were in use until after the establishment of the state of Israel. The place was called Jisr a-Zarka (the bridge over the blue river) by the people, due to the clear blue water of the river.

The town of Jisr az-Zarqa, which achieved local council status in 1963, is located on a sandstone ridge along the Mediterranean coast, 25 m above sea level and close to the lower section of the Nahal Taninim Nature Reserve. To the south of the town lies the city of Caesarea, to the north kibbutz Ma'agan Michael and to the east, the town borders Highway 2. Jisr az-Zarqa has two entrances and a single access road, west of Highway 4. It is the only Arab town in Israel located on the Mediterranean coastal plain.

Natural and historical assets

• Umar ibn Al-Khattab Mosque

  The main mosque in the village is named after the second Muslim caliph (leader). The original one-story building was built in 1968. In 2001, with the assistance of the El-Nahda Association, the mosque was rebuilt as a 1,200 m2 structure, spread over three stories, including an entrance hall, prayer halls for men and a prayer hall for women. Five daily prayer services, Friday sermons and funeral services are held at the mosque.

  Address: 67 Umar ben Al-Khattab Street
• Beach

  To the west of the town, on the magical coastline, there is a bathing beach with lifeguard services, a lifeguard hut, shaded areas and parking services. The beach is used by the local population as well as tourists and visitors, and entrance is free.

  

• Fishermen's Village

  The Fisherman's Village in Jisr az-Zarqa was founded in 1922 and is the only remaining fishing village along the coast of Israel that is still active. It once served as the main source of income for the families of Jisr az-Zarqa and today continues to support about thirty families who own fishing boats. The activity in the fishing village still takes place in the original buildings. The fishing village, located on the town's coastal strip, has accommodation and is open to visitors.

• Nahal Taninim Nature Reserve

  Nahal Taninim Nature Reserve marks the northern limit of the town and brings together nature-rich surroundings and ancient technology. The nature reserve has a number of main sites, such as the strong Nahal Tanninim, which maintains a wide channel along the nature reserve until it spills into the Mediterranean Sea and sustains rich vegetation and a wide variety of animals. On the south bank of the river there is a 1.5 km hiking trail. Located In the center of the nature reserve is an ancient Roman dam, reconstructed from the end of the 4th century BCE, with a unique regulation facility, alongside the remains of flour mills from the Byzantine and Ottoman periods. Towards the mouth of the river there is a stone bridge, built at the end of the Ottoman period in honor of the visit of the German Kaiser Wilhelm II to Palestine (1898).

• Additional assets slated for rehabilitation measures

  The Roman aqueduct was built during Roman rule in Israel and its water source is from various springs. The aqueduct crosses the kurkar (sandstone) ridge of Jisr al-Zarqa in a 442 m long quarried tunnel with 15 shafts. The tunnel is considered one of the most impressive findings in Israel and connects the other parts of the aqueduct in Beit Hanania and Caesarea. Tel Tanninim (Crocodile Mount), located south of the mouth of Nahal Taninim, reveals evidence of the ancient city of Crocodilopolis from different periods. Among the ruins are remains of a tower and a pool from the Crusader period, a mosaic floor and an aqueduct from the Byzantine period. There are also historical relics from the Hellenistic and Roman periods. From the top of the mound you can view the entire town of Jisr and the adjacent towns. Gan Hashalom (Peace Park) is located in the north of the town and became a public park in 1996 after a garbage dump was removed from the area. Today, Gan Hashalom, the only public park in Jisr serves as a meeting place, ideal for walks and picnics.