Avshalom Cave, Beit Shemesh

Name: Avshalom Cave
Address: Beit Shemesh, Israel

#1 among attractions in Beit Shemesh

Nature, Natural attraction, Top attraction, Cave

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Facts and practical information

Nestled in the heart of the Judean Hills near the city of Beit Shemesh, Israel, lies the captivating Avshalom Cave, also known as Soreq Cave or Stalactites Cave. This subterranean wonder is renowned for its high concentration of stalactites, stalagmites, and other intricate rock formations. Discovered accidentally during a quarry explosion in 1968, Avshalom Cave quickly became a national treasure and a significant point of interest for geology enthusiasts and casual tourists alike.

Spanning over 5,000 square meters, the cave is a natural museum showcasing the delicate artistry of nature. Over thousands of years, the slow drip of mineral-rich water has sculpted an array of formations, with some of the stalactites and stalagmites meeting to form stunning pillars. The cave's interior displays a variety of colors and shapes, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that captivates visitors.

Avshalom Cave is preserved as part of the Avshalom Nature Reserve, ensuring the protection of its fragile ecosystem. The cave's constant temperature and high humidity provide a unique microclimate, which is home to specialized cave-dwelling fauna.

The site is equipped with walkways and lighting to enhance the viewing experience while minimizing human impact on the natural formations. Guided tours are available, offering educational insights into the geological processes at work and the history of the cave's discovery and exploration.

Local name: מערת הנטיפים Coordinates: 31°45'21"N, 35°1'20"E

Address

Beit Shemesh Israel

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Beit Shemesh

Day trips

Avshalom Cave – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Beit Jimal, Latrun, Abu Ghosh, Biblical Museum of Natural History.

3.4 miSW
Monastery
Beit Jimal, Beit Shemesh
88 min walk • Nestled in the rolling hills near the city of Beit Shemesh, Israel, lies the serene and historical Beit Jimal Monastery. This Catholic monastery, steeped in quiet contemplation and rich tradition, is a hidden gem that offers visitors a glimpse into spiritual life...
6 miNW
Monastery
Latrun
154 min walk • Latrun is located at a strategic hilltop in the Latrun salient in the Ayalon Valley. It overlooks the road between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, 25 kilometers west of Jerusalem and 14 kilometers southeast of Ramla.
6.2 miNE
Area
Abu Ghosh, Jerusalem
159 min walk • Abu Ghosh is an Arab-Israeli local council in Israel, located 10 kilometers west of Jerusalem on the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem highway. It is situated 610–720 meters above sea level. It takes its current name from the dominant clan inhabiting the town, while the older Arabic name used to be Qaryat al-'Inab.
1.6 miW
Zoo, Specialty museum, Park
Biblical Museum of Natural History, Beit Shemesh
40 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Beit Shemesh, Israel, the Biblical Museum of Natural History brings to life the vibrant tapestry of creatures mentioned in the Scriptures. This unique institution is not merely a repository of artifacts but a dynamic and interactive space that...
5.9 miNE
Church
Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant Church, Jerusalem
152 min walk • The Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant Church is a religious building belonging to the Catholic Church and is located on the northwestern edge of the town of Abu Ghosh in the central Israel. The church is at an altitude of 756 meters above sea level.
2.5 miNW
Archaeological site
Zorah, Beit Shemesh
65 min walk • Zorah or Tzorah, perhaps "place of wasps," was a biblical town in the lower hill country of Judah. The site lies at an elevation of about 1,150 feet above sea-level.
6.1 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Valley
Valley of Elah
156 min walk • The Valley of Elah or Ella Valley, called in Arabic: وادي السنط, Wadi es-Sunt, is a long, shallow valley in Israel and the West Bank best known as the place described in the Hebrew Bible where the Israelites were encamped when David fought Goliath.
1.7 miNE
Memorial
Scroll of Fire
44 min walk • Scroll of Fire is a monument found in the Jerusalem hills, on the western outskirts of Jerusalem, Israel, and it commemorates Jewish history from The Holocaust until the Independence of Israel from the British. The monument was inaugurated in 1971.
2.9 miNE
Memorial
Forest of the Martyrs
73 min walk • Forest of the Martyrs is a forest on the outskirts of West Jerusalem, Israel. It is on the western edge of the Jerusalem Forest near Beit Meir.
6.1 miNE
Church
Church of the Resurrection, Jerusalem
157 min walk • The Resurrection Church, or the Church of the Crusaders in Abu Gosh, is the name given to a Catholic religious building consisting of a structure of the time of the Crusaders who belonged to the Knights Hospitaller, and today is a part of the Benedictine monastery in Abu Ghosh, in central Israel.
3.8 miNW
Nature, Natural attraction, Forest
Eshtaol Forest
97 min walk • Eshtaol Forest is a forest in Israel, located north of Beit Shemesh and near Ta'oz and Neve Shalom, south of the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem Highway. The Forest of the Martyrs lies to the east. The forest is a popular recreation area and is one of the largest forests in Israel.