Castel National Park

Castel National Park stands on the ridge above the main road linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. In 1948, control of this hill was central to the battle for access to Jerusalem during the siege of the city.

The site combines a Crusader-era fortress with trenches, memorials, and views that make the strategic importance of the hill immediately clear. A guided visit can place the events of 1948 within the larger story of Jerusalem, the British Mandate, and Israel’s independence.

The story of Castel shows how one steep hill became central to the fate of Jerusalem, when keeping a single road open meant food, water, connection, and survival for a besieged city.