• 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.

    Tourist attractions

    • The Israel National Trail

      Jisr az-Zarka is a special section of the Israel National Trail, a trail that offers hikers landscapes, flora and fauna, historical and archeological sites, various kinds of settlements and an opportunity to meet all sectors of Israeli society. The Bishvilenu project of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in partnership with Mifal Hapayis, recognizes the value of the trail experience and strives to empower it and create opportunities to meet communities close to the trail, with the aim of encouraging dialogue and cultural diversity and encouraging hikers and local residents to make a mutual contribution. The youth of Jisr, in partnership with the local association "Basmalah", are taking responsibility for their section of the trail by hosting groups of hikers and imparting to them the fascinating history of Jisr az-Zarqa. For more information about stations and activities, please scan the attached bar code! - bar code - mark the stations on the back of the map.

    • Juha's Guesthouse

      Located in the center of town, along the Israel National Trail and a short walk from the beach, Juha's Guesthouse was established as a social initiative for the promotion of tourism based on local resources and which creates a source of income for residents. The guesthouse offers a wonderful atmosphere, free Wi-Fi and shared guest space that includes a living room, a dining area and a kitchen for recreational activities and gatherings. The guesthouse also organizes tours of Jisr and its surroundings, cooking workshops, local meals, and coordinates various projects such as "The Open Gallery", a cultural and educational center, and the "Young Leaders" program that teaches English and leadership skills to local youth so as to enable them to be tour guides and share their knowledge of the town with guests from all over Israel and the world.

      For further details and inquiries -

      Website - http://www.zarqabay.com

      Phone - 052-6146265 | 052-8622088

      Email - officejuha@gmail.com

      Facebook: Juha's Guesthouse

    • Bridge to Arabic

      A project for Arabic language studies and Arab culture in Jisr az-Zarqa that was set up by local teachers in 2012 and is proud to offer Arabic studies in an Arabic-speaking setting, through meetings, educational tours, workshops and meals. The syllabus is designed for different levels of Arabic and focuses on spoken and literary Arabic so that learners can engage in real communication, both one-to-one and on social media. The format of the study program is flexible, and classes can be held on a weekly basis, over a weekend that includes a stay in the community, or over an entire week of living in the community. Bridge to Arabic is a social action project in which families in Jisr al-Zarqa are involved and as such it is attracts visitors outside the community, thus promoting the development of new and stable sources of income for Jisr residents.

      For further details and registration:

      Website: http://jisr2arabic.org

      Email: arabic.jisr@gmail.com

      Facebook: Bridge to Arabic

    • The Blue Bridge Experience

      A local tourism initiative, which was established in 2016 with an emphasis on home hospitality and personal sharing. Hospitality may include a tour, a meal, a workshop and conversing with visitors, allowing them to observe and connect to the town's environment and heritage. The duration of the activities is flexible and coordinated with the visitor. Activities are suitable for individuals and groups.

      For details and inquiries:

      Facebook – The Blue Bridge Experience

      Email: thebluebridge2017@gmail.com

      Address: 7 Almouares St., Jisr az-Zraqa