06/02/2014
Timna Park, Where Time Stands Still
A description of the Timna Park, located at the Negev desert outside Eilat, is somewhat reminiscent of an Indiana Jones film: ancient secrets, evidence of long-gone cultures and historical monuments, stone inscriptions... and as anyone who visited the place can tell, this impression is actually very close to the truth. No, you won't find ancient treasures buried here, but a trip to the Timna Park will bring you face to face with authentic artifacts from early history, alongside many natural wonders.
One of the first things to see upon arriving at the site is the many unique geological structures - Solomon's Pillars, named after the biblical king, the spiral hill, and the "Sphinx" rock, named after its shape that recalls the famous Egyptian statue - magnificent example's of nature's wonders, no less than Eilat's underwater world. The colorful sands in the park are another unique natural phenomenon, and they are considered an attraction in its own right - no visit to the site is complete without filling a bottle of colored sand.
The park also features man-made wonders. Evidence of early use of copper, and mankind's passage from stone to copper, can be seen here. The historical process comes to life in the "Mines of Time" presentation, which demonstrates, using multimedia techniques, the production of copper in ancient Egypt. Other attractions that reveal the site's Egyptian heritage are the Hathor Temple and a unique Egyptian stone inscription.
Another fascinating historical attraction is the reconstructed Tabernacle - a replica of the Tabernacle God commanded the children of Israel to build, constructed according to its biblical description.
The park is also open to night tours, when it is illuminated with special lighting that provides a unique atmosphere. But it's far more than an atmospheric experience - it's also a chance to re-deiscover the site and its attractions, even if you've toured the place in the daylight hours.
The park is also a great site for bicycle-riding. The site offers the chance to rent a bicycle and ride among the different attractions. Shower and refreshment services are also available.
After touring the desert landscape, you're invite for a refreshing experience in the Timna Lake. This artificial lake was created as part of an attempt to stop rain floods that could damage the park, and now it offers popular pedal-boat rides, and many places for rest and play.
Your visit to the park can conclude at the site's restaurant, which offers traditional desert meals in a special atmospheric location, and at the gift shop, where you can acquire a memento from your visit. Just like the snowy mountaintops and evergreen forests of Europe, the Timna Park reveals the beauty of Israel's greatest natural asset - the desert.
