Ein Hemed
עין חמד or Aqua Bella | |
Interactive map of Ein Hemed | |
| Location | Jerusalem area, Israel |
|---|---|
| History | |
| Builder | Knights Hospitaller |
| Periods | Crusader period, Middle Ages |
| Cultures | Crusader |
Ein Hemed is a national park and nature reserve in Israel, in the hills seven kilometres west of modern Jerusalem and some 12 kilometres west of the Old City. It is also known by the Latin name it received from Crusaders, Aqua Bella, and as Khirbat Iqbalā in Arabic.
The park is located on the path of an old Roman road which remained in use through the Middle Ages. The road connected the coastal plain with Jerusalem, passing through Bab al-Wad. A fortified Hospitaller building from the Crusader period, relatively well-preserved, is arguably the main attraction, along with the streams and lush vegetation.