Rasheen Mountain is a historical mountain in the State of Palestine and is the highest area in Tulkarm Governorate above sea level.[1] It rises about 600 meters above sea level, and the mountain experiences snowfall and accumulation of snow in the winter, It is located along the Mediterranean coastline.[2]The mountain is located in the town of Balaa in the governorate and is surrounded by land from the villages of Kafr Rumman, Anabta, and others. At the top of the mountain is the Roman archaeological site of "Khirbet Rasheen".[3] At the base of the mountain, the Ottoman Empire dug the famous Ottoman train tunnel, known as the "Balaa Tunnel".[4] The first of its kind at the time in the Middle East.[5] Today, it is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Palestine.[6]
| Rasheen Mountain | |
|---|---|
 The peaks of Mount Rasheen | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 600 m (2,000 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Tulkarm Governorate  Palestine |
| Parent range | North Mountain Range |
History edit
Rasheen Mountain is part of the northern Palestinian mountain range, and during the Roman Empire, the mountain included the historic Roman archaeological site of Khirbet Rasheen.[7] It is a historical ruin full of ancient monuments such as wells and some buildings.[8] During the Ottoman Empire, the Ottoman train tunnel (Kherq Balaa) was dug about 800 meters into the mountain's interior[9] from start to finish[10] as part of the Hejaz railway line[11] Construction of the tunnel began in the late 1800s during the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, then stopped for lack of funds, and in 1908 work resumed, the construction lasted four years.[12] To commemorate the completion of the project at the time, a large celebration was held in Damascus' Marjeh Square, and a monument was erected in the square to that effect.[13]
Events edit
- On March 29, 2005, Israeli helicopters landed soldiers on the mountain to sweep the area.[14]
Palestine's largest tourism project edit
At the end of 2019, some businessmen announced their plans to establish the largest recreational and therapeutic tourism project in Palestine in the mountain area, which will include a medical resort, hotels, and medical and educational tourism treatment centers.[15]
Photos gallery edit
-
The tunnel under the mountain in 1984 -
Tunnel from the outside -
Inside the tunnel -
Tunnel exit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "'The Breach' in Balaa. The beauty of the building and the splendor of the view". prealmedia. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "Rasheen is the largest world-class medical tourism project in Palestine". ramallah.news. September 19, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman Train Tunnel. A tale more than 100 years old". Ma'an News Agency. August 2, 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman breach. A living witness from the Hejaz Railway". Al Jazeera Channel. April 21, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "'The Breach' in Balaa. The beauty of the building and the splendor of the view". prealmedia. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "'The Breach' in Balaa. The beauty of the building and the splendor of the view". prealmedia. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman Tunnel in Balaa. 800 meters stretching under a Roman ruin full of ancient monuments". Dunya al-Watan. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "'The Breach' in Balaa. The beauty of the building and the splendor of the view". prealmedia. February 11, 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman Tunnel in Balaa. 800 meters stretching under a Roman ruin full of ancient monuments". Dunya al-Watan. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman Tunnel in Balaa. 800 meters stretching under a Roman ruin full of ancient monuments". Dunya al-Watan. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "Tulkarem. The Ottoman railway tunnel is an archaeological masterpiece more than 100 years old". al-monitor. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman breach. A living witness from the Hejaz Railway". Al Jazeera Channel. April 21, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "The Ottoman Tunnel in Balaa. 800 meters stretching under a Roman ruin full of ancient monuments". Dunya al-Watan. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-01-14. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "Occupation forces intensify their military activities in the Tulkarm area". Palestinian News Agency. March 29, 2005. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Accessed on 2021-01-16.
- ^ "Rasheen is the largest world-class medical tourism project in Palestine". ramallah.news. September 19, 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Accessed on 2021-01-16.