Visiting Latrun and Emmaus (23rd July, 2008)

Latrun, is situated 28 km from Jerusalem in the famous Ayalon Valley where according to Bible, Joshua stopped the progression of sun and moon (Josh 10:12). There are two interesting theories about the origin of the word Latrun. Some say it is from the twelfth-century crusader castle on this spot (whose ruins can still be seen behind the Trappist Monastery) called La Tour des Chevaliers ("the knights' tower"). The other version is that it was the hometown of the good thief who was crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:40-43) and the rational behind this theory is that the latin word "Latro" means thief!!!

Whatever the word Latrun signifies is secondary, however its dominant position on the road to Jerusalem makes this site a strategic location for controlling the Holy City. Some of the bloodiest battles from Biblical times to the establishment modern of Israel have been fought in its soil. Today, Latrun is also an important Christian site, mainly because of the famous Trappist Monastery and the city of Emmaus in its vicinity (where according to New Testament, Jesus appeared to two of His disciples after resurrection, Luke 24:13) . The other major attractions in Latrun include the Israeli Armored Corps Museum and the Mini Israel Park. The Armored Corps Museum or Yad La Shiriyon (in Hebrew) is a British fort, turned into a tank museum and a memorial for Israel’s fallen soldiers. Mini Israel is a miniature model of the whole Israel depicted in 1:25 scale. Opened in 2002, the park consists of 350 buildings, 30,000 figures, 500 animals, plants and 15,000 trees, 4,700 cars, 100 motorbikes, 14 trains, 3 helicopters, 32 aircraft, 175 ships and 230 trucks all incorporated in the most accurate proportion and scale (data from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latrun).

I have been hearing for a long time about the Trappist Monastery of Latrun, its silent monks, vineyards, olive orchards and the fabulous Ayalon valley. Recently I happened to know from a friend that one can easily reach Latrun through public transport. Courtesy my friend; I started by 7.15 am from campus, took the Egged bus 470 from Beer Sheva at 8.15 am to Jerusalem and got down at Latrun stop around 9.30 am. After visiting all the sites mentioned above (except for the Mini Israel Park) returned campus at 4 pm through Egged 470 from Latrun (1.45 pm).

The Armored Corps Museum (Yad La Shiriyon), Latrun

As mentioned before, Latrun has one of the bloodiest history in Israel. It was here that Joshua defeated the Amorites (Joshua 10:1-11); Later, King David, the Egyptians, the Maccabees and the Crusaders all battled here. However, the most ferocious and bloodiest battles occurred in Latrun between Jewish and the Arab armies after the declaration of modern Israel (1948). Earlier, the British had a military fortress in Latrun called Tegart Fort, designed by Sir Charles Tegart in 1938. After the withdrawal of British army from Palestine in May 14, 1948, this fort was handed to Arab Legion. Since this strategic place was so crucial in deciding the fate of Jews in Jerusalem, the Israeli army desperately tried to capture the Tegart fort. The food and ammunition supply to Jerusalem’s Jews had to pass through the road adjacent to this fort and for obvious reasons were blocked by Arab forces who controlled the area. From May 15, 1948 onwards Israelis fought at least 5 battles with Arab forces for Latrun and in all of them they faced humiliating defeat. If you have read my earlier posts, you will know how these events compelled the Jewish forces to construct an alternate path called Burma Road to Jerusalem and the siege ended. However, almost 20 years later on June 6, 1967, Israeli forces with their superior tank battalions finally captured Tegart Fort of Latrun.

Today, the fort is a memorial site for the armored and tank force and maintains an international display of models of over 200 tanks and other armored fighting vehicles (AFV) from every army in the world, since the first tank participated in World War I. One of the biggest tank museum in the world. One can still see the marks of bullets and shells and the Arabic writing on the walls of this fort which were left as it is. The museum is called Yad Le-Shiryon in Hebrew. For me it was like entering some military fort. Almost every face I saw inside this museum from entrance to exit was that of uniformed men. Initially I was a bit embarrassed to feel like a rare civilian inside a military camp. May be its like more a national heritage for the Israelis and the intensity of feeling they have will be much different from mine. But if you are a military gadget lover then you are going to love this place for sure. There were so many models of tanks (even a transparent one) along with their details. I was little bit confused as most of the labels were in Hebrew. While searching for Merkava, the main battle tank of IDF (Israel Defense Force) I got the help of a young soldier who explained me everything in English and made me feel comfortable. The other interesting site which took my attention was the Wall of Names, displaying the names of all the fallen soldiers from the formation of Israel (1948) and up to this very day. The roof top of this fort has a nice view covering the entire Ayalon valley. Any one interested to know more about this museum can visit the official site http://www.arcm-latrun.org.il/english/index_e.htm

The Tegart Fort

The Tegart Fort (1P and 2P) and the Wall of Names (3P and 4P)

The Giant Merkava Tanks

The word merkava means chariot in Hebrew. The failure of a program with the UK to develop an advanced tank, resulted in the birth of Merkava. This indegenously designed tank was the brainchild of IDFs General Israel Tal in 1977. Considered as one of the best tanks in the world, the Israeli army has used the 4th generation Merkava in the Lebanon war of 2oo6. The engine of Merkava is placed in front side unlike many other tanks where it resides in the back and thus creating additional protection to the soldiers. Apart from that, Merkava's ability to function also as an ambulance, an armor recovery vehicle and even a command post makes it very special to the Israeli army.

see more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkava

The Tank on Top of the Tower (1P-3P)/The Roller Bridge (4P)/Bird Radar of Centre of Bird Migration (5P).

Ayalon Valley

The name Ayalon is derived from the Hebrew word Ayal, meaning 'deer or gazelle'. The Valley of Ayalon, according to Bible is where Joshua uttered the famous command, "Sun, stand thou still on Gibeon: and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon" (Josh. 10:12). Ayalon is also the name of a city mentioned several times in Bible. Most of the pictures are taken from the background of the vineyards in Latrun monastery. See more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajalon