Cochav Hayarden National Park

The Cochav Hayarden National Park is on the eastern part of the Yissahar Ridge, on the edge of the steep slope overlooking the Jordan Valley. The builders of the fortress called it Belvoir (beautiful view) because of its magnificent view, which takes in the Gilad Mountains in Trans-Jordan.
The Crusader fortress was built circa 1140, during the reign of Falk Dango (1142-1131). When the Crusaders originally settled the ridge, they established a fortified agricultural farm here. In 1168, the Order of Hospitalers purchased the land and turned it into one of the most important Crusader fortresses in Eretz Israel. The fortress overlooked the route from the Jordan Valley to Damascus and the route from Nahal Tabor west to the coastal plain and the Via Maris.
The Kochav haYarden (Star of Jordan) fortress is also known in its Arab name “Kaukab al-Hawa”. It is a trip to one of the most beautiful and complete Crusader fortresses remaining. The fortress stands at the heights of Ramat Yisachar and overlooks the Jordan River, the Sea of Galilee Valley, the Beit She’an Valley and the Lower Galilee. It was built by the Order of Hospitalers at a height of 500 meters and more above the valley below. It was named Belvoir (fair view) after the spectacular views seen from the fortress.
A tour at the fortress courtyard will show the visitors the strength of the Crusader construction, as well as the views of the Jordan and the paths of the statue garden with statues by the sculptor Yigal Tomarkin, located near the fortress.

National ParkThe easiest route to Kochav haYarden National Park is through road 90. About 2 kilometers north of Kibbutz Newe Or turn west along Maale Elisha and go by the signs to the fortress.
The fortress built by the Hospitalers was so strong that it withstood all Saladin?s attempts to seize it (1187-89). Only after a year-and-a-half-long siege, when all the land around them had been captured, did the defenders consent to sign the surrender agreement and move to Zur, a city that was still in Crusader hands.
The fortress here is the best restored and only completely excavated Crusader-period fortress in Israel. The fortress is composed of an external castle with a donjon at its center, a five-sided wall, and a twenty-meter-wide, twelve-meter-deep moat. Towers are positioned at the corners of the fortress.
South of the fortress is a sculpture garden with works by Israeli artist Igael Tumarkin.













































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