In the central Carmel Mountains in the northern Israel is there with Daliyat al Karmal (also Daliyat / Dalijat al-Karmil or Daliyat el Karmel; Hebrew דאליית אל-כרמל, arab. دالية الكرمل) and Isfiya (also Isfiya, Osfiya or Ussafiya, Hebrew עספיא; arab. عسفيا) two villages predominantly inhabited by Druze. The two places have grown together in the meantime and have been under the same name for a few years Carmel City combined into one community.
The two places are visited by tourists to get an impression of the Druze religion and culture. Southeast of Daliyat al Karmal lies with the monastery Muhraqa one of the two places in the Carmel Mountains that are associated with the work of the prophet Elijah.
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| Daliyat al Karmal, Isfiya, Carmel City | ||
| district | Haifa district | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | total of 25,000 | |
other value for residents on Wikidata: 16778   | ||
| no tourist info on Wikidata: | ||
| location | ||
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background
In the 17th century, the high elevations of the Carmel Mountains were from Druze populated who founded a few villages there. The Druze religion emerged from Islam around 1000, but has now developed into its own religion, which has the character of a secret religion.
Of the original Druze villages, only two quite large villages remain in the Carmel Mountains, namely Isfiya and Daliyat al Karmal, which are located southeast of Haifa. The other villages were destroyed. Not only Druze live in Isfiya, but also Christians. It is noteworthy that the Druze of Carmel, along with the Jews, are the only population group who regularly serve in the Israeli army. They are expressly loyal to the Jewish state, although they actually have more in common with the Arab population. Incidentally, this is where they differ from their fellow believers on the Golan: The Druze there still feel that they belong to Syria today.
getting there
By plane
There is a small airport near Haifa, but it is only of national importance. Usually one travels through the national Ben Gurion Airport at Tel Aviv and continue from there by public transport or by rental car.
By train
The Druze villages are not connected to the Israeli rail network. If you arrive by public transport, you usually take the train to the train station Haifa Bat Galim and there changes to the bus.
By bus
The Druze villages can be reached from Haifa with the 37 א buses. During the day, these buses run every half hour along road 672 to Daliyat al Karmal (but only until around 7 p.m.). The line starts at the old central bus station in Bat Galim and continues to serve the Hadar district and the University of Haifa, among others.
| Of | Bus routes | Connection density during the day | Duration approx. | Price NIS | Hints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haifa | 37 א | every 30 min | 1:15 | 6,20 | to Isfiya same price, 15 min faster |
| Um el Fahm | 296* | Twice a day | 0:20 | ||
| Notes: Sometimes not all lines from the starting point are mentioned here (e.g. with many different lines between two cities or very few journeys on one line). However, the specified cycle density refers to all available connections. Links in the table lead to the mobility information of the respective location. Swell: Egged and Otobusim.co.il; Status: 12/2010 - * Lines with a star are not served by Egged, but by another company. | |||||
In the street
If you are coming from the south or from the major centers of the country, you choose roads 2, 4 or 6 (subject to a fee!) In the north to the southern Carmel Mountains and change there to road 70 in the east. Three kilometers after the intersection with Autobahn 6, change to road 672 heading north; Follow this road to the Druze villages. You can also choose this approach if you come from the east or from the Jezreel plain; In this case, at Jokne'am (Yokne'am), take road 70 towards the west and change to road 672 after a few kilometers.
If you come from the Carmel coast or from the north, you will either pass the university in Haifa or drive up to Mount Carmel on road 721 at Atlit; in this case one reaches the Druze villages from the north and first comes to Isfiya.
mobility
Within the Druze villages you can get around on foot, by rental car or by bus 37 א.
Tourist Attractions
The monastery is located a few kilometers southeast of Daliyat al Karmal Muhraqa. The Bible tells of a proof of God that the prophet Elijah is said to have carried out on Mount Carmel. While the priests of Baal did not succeed in lighting their sacrifice through prayer, fire is said to have fallen from heaven at Elijah's prayer, whereby the God of Israel proved to be the one true God. The story ends bloody: Elijah lets the Baal priests lead to the brook Kishon (east of Carmel) and kill them there (1 Kings 18,1-40 ). Muhraqa Monastery is considered a possible location for this incident; from there you also have a very nice view over the Jezreel plain.
activities
shop
In Daliyat al Karmal there is a well-known market that is also popular with tourists. The market is quite crowded on Shabbat.
kitchen
The Druze cuisine originates from the Sephardic cuisine. It is traditionally women who cook.
