Ancient Town Avdat (עבדת‎, عبدات‎)

Avdat's origins date back to the 4th century BCE, when the Nabataeans founded the city as an important trading post on the Spice Route. This route facilitated the transport of spices, cosmetics, and other precious goods from the Far East via the Arabian Peninsula and Petra to the Mediterranean ports. King Oboda II, who lived at the beginning of the Roman era and was revered as a deity, is believed to be buried here and to have given the city its name. In the 1st century CE, the focus increasingly shifted to agriculture. Following the annexation of the Nabataean kingdom by the Romans in 106 CE, Avdat developed into a fortified Roman border town. The city experienced its golden age during the Byzantine era from the 4th to the 7th century CE, marked by the construction of magnificent churches and the expansion of agricultural areas. Decline began around 636 with the end of Byzantine rule and the Arab conquest. Since 2005, Avdat has been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The ancient city of Avdat is located in the Southern District of Israel, at an elevation of approximately 622 meters above sea level.

Today, visitors can explore the remains of this ancient city. These include a Nabataean military camp, two church ruins, tombs, a bathhouse, and traces of a temple, a pottery workshop, and residential buildings. The site is open to the public for viewing.

• Ancient City of Nitzana (Ancient Buildings), approx. 33.9 km away
• Ancient City of Elusa (Ancient Buildings), approx. 35.5 km away
• Hatzeva Fortress (Fortress), approx. 45.2 km away
• Ancient City of Be'er Sheva (Ancient Buildings), approx. 50.4 km away