Monday 9 November 2020

The Masrek Nature Reserve

The Masrek Nature Reserve is a small reserve in the Judaean Hills, which in ancient times were the allotment of the Tribe of Judah. The reserve is located at the top of Mount Masrek (Giv'at HaMasreq) and extends over an area of just 117 dunam (approximately 29 acres). In the past large Jerusalem pine trees (Pinus halepensis) grew here but many of those old trees have been destroyed by snow or by a fire that raged through the nature reserve in 2001. Now the remains of agricultural terraces and fruit trees, mainly olive and almond, can be seen alongside the woodland and pine trees. In April two rare varieties of orchid bloom there: Violet Limodore (Limodorum abortivum) and the Drone Bee-Orchid (Ophrys holoserica), whose beautiful flowers are brown, yellow and violet. In addition, a tall antenna has sprung up at the top of the hill.
Mister Handmade in Israel and I visited the reserve recently. From the car park we climbed up some stone steps to Mount Masrek. At the top our path lead us past communication trenches where the Arab defenders of Beit Mahsir took cover during Israel's War of Independence. Beside the trenches was a small cave hewn into the rock. The trenches were dug into soft yellow chalk rock of the kind referred to by geologists as Beit Meir formation, which is sandwiched here between layers of hard chalk rock. Greek strawberry trees (Arbutus andrachne), which grow easily in the soil created by this soft rock, can be seen scattered here and there throughout the reserve.
The trail made its way through an attractive plot of woodland and led us to a gorgeous observation area facing the coastal plain, below. Below us we could see the buildings of Moshav Beit Meir, and on a clear day it is possible to see as far as Ramla, Rehovot and even the high-rises of Tel Aviv.
From the observation area the trail emerged on to a short road that skirted the buildings of Moshav Beit Meir, which have spread all the way up to the nature reserve. A narrow path branched off the road and once again took us into the shade of the woodland trees, to the top of the hill. There we found a Muslim shrine built in honour of Sheikh Ahmad al-Ajami ("The Persian" in Arabic). According to tradition, Sheikh al-Ajami was one of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad and actually served as his barber. Today the presence of a monument to a barber at a site called Masrek ("comb" in Hebrew) seems an amusing coincidence.
The main hall of the building is still standing but it is fenced off and you cannot enter as it is apparently in danger of collapse. Instead, I walked down the side of the building and peeked through a window. Beyond the double-arched entrance lies a large hall whose two small ceiling domes were once decorated to resemble the interior of shells. The mihrab (prayer niche) in the southern wall indicates the direction of prayer, towards Mecca.
Continuing on, the footpath left the plateau and made its way back down the hill, passing the remains of a bunker dating back to the War of Independence, above and below. From there it was just a short distance back to the flight of steps we had come up at the start of our route. 
A short drive from the reserve lead us to a lookout point that offered an excellent view of the Masrek Nature Reserve, above. Among the rockroses and thorny burnet bushes (Sarcopoterium spinosum), a number of signs describe the sequence of events in the area during Operation Maccabi, a military operation which took place between 8th-18th May 1948. The operation was designed to open the transportation route to Jerusalem, which had been under Arab siege for months. After three days of fighting the area of the Masrek Nature Reserve and the village of Beit Mahsir were captured. Operation Maccabi succeeded in gaining control over the road to Jerusalem: to open the road and keep it open for the transit of convoys, in order to renew transport between the coastal plain and Jerusalem.

21 comments:

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

thank you for taking me to another beautiful place!

Tamar SB said...

What a gorgeous hike - love all the stone.

Kim Carberry said...

What a beautiful place to visit. It sounds like a lovely place to explore. The views are amazing x

Karen said...

What an interesting place! Love the lizard!

NCSue said...

I still remember my amazement at seeing archeological finds from centuries ago while traveling in Israel. I would love to go again.
Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/11/a-letter-found-at-world-war-ii-memorial.html

Trekking with Becky said...

Fascinating! I love the lizard and the stone. :)

April said...

Love the bunker and the history!

VeggieMummy said...

You do visit some wonderful places. I love all the history. xx

Gattina said...

Very interesting post and a beautiful landscape ! It's a pity that men spoil it with war left overs ! It makes me always angry when I go to the sea here and there are the forever lasting bunkers in the sand !!

Tom said...

...nature is indeed the greatest treasure that we have. The rugged beauty of the Masrek Nature Reserve is a delight to see and thank you for sharing.

riitta k said...

Wonderful nature views especially those with blue sky 💙

Lady Fi said...

What a lovely area!

Crafty Green Poet said...

a beautiful place for a walk, lovely photos

Peabea Scribbles said...

So interesting, and enjoyable that you visit and post photos of places that I've only read about in the Bible. That culture has to be a great place to live. Enjoyed your visit. Have a great week and weekend.

betty-NZ said...

I enjoyed seeing and learning a bit of more modern history in Israel today! It's a shame the trees were burned but nature seems to use it to give you different bits of orchid beauty!

Thanks for sharing your link at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You hiked through beautiful scenery and layers upon layers of history. I kind of hate seeing the tower up there on top, but I guess that is the present day’s contribution to the area’s history. I enjoyed this ... a favorite kind of hike, combining nature and history.

Jayne said...

What a beautiful reserve and those views are breathtaking. I'm really looking forward to being able to get out and about again. What a year it has been! x

junie/jesh said...

Your country is so full of history! thank you for sharing the details of this place with All Seasons!
Have you heard of Jonathan Kahn? He is a rabbi, and he has written a book the Oracle, I can't put it down. He brings prophesies made 2000 years ago together with the 20-21 century, included the return of the Jews and Israel returning to be a nation on its own soil - it's riveting!(Where I know his from were his first two books about America, the Harbinger and the Schmitah). Have a great week! Jesh

Catherine said...

These are fabulous photos - I love the butterfly on the flower :o)

#MMBC

cindy ladage said...

This is fascinating history! What a cool hike, I love the story of nature as well.

Rob + Ann said...

Love seeing all of the forests and natural areas you share! Too often, what we see from Israel are the urban areas. It's a nice reminder of all there is to see and enjoy!