Ancient Nitzana was founded by the Nabataeans in the 3rd century BC. There are traces of a large first century BC building with a monumental staircase. The settlement was a trading post on the Eilat to Gaza route. In the early 2nd century AD the emperor Hadrian diverted this trade from Elat to Damascus. Despite this loss Nitzana grew under Byzantine rule. In the late 3rd century AD the fort was enlarged with stables for horses and camels. In the 4th century a church was built attached to the north end of the fort. It was dedicated to SS Sergius and Baccus. In the 7th century a second church, dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built 60m south east of the fort.
Al Auja before 1956
Remnants of the Turkish railway station. At the far left: the water stop.
The tax register for 587-9 AD indicates that the town had 1,500 inhabitants, with 116 houses. This was a time of prosperity with the route from Gaza to Elat reopened and pilgrim traffic to Saint Catherine's Monastery. A find of late Byzantine papyri has given much detail of the life of the town.
Following the arrival of Islam the town went into a slow decline and by the 8th century it had ceased to exist.[2]
Modern village
The modern village was founded in 1987 by Aryeh Eliav, a former member of the Knesset for several left-wing parties, and was named after the Nabatean city. It also gives its name to the Nitzana Border Crossing, formerly Auja al-Hafir. It was the site of Operation Volcano in 1955, an Israeli raid against Egyptian positions. On 18 June 2012 an Israeli was killed in a terrorist attack near the village.[3]
^ ab"Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
^Murphy-O'Conner, Jerome (2008) The Holy Land. An Oxford Archaeological Guide (5th edition), Oxford University Press. ISBN978 0 19 923666 4. Pages 430-432.
^Victim of Nitzana Attack Identified Israel National News, 18 June 2012
April 17, 2023
nitzana, israel, nitzana, hebrew, ניצנה, educational, youth, village, community, settlement, southern, israel, located, western, negev, desert, adjacent, egyptian, border, falls, under, jurisdiction, ramat, hanegev, regional, council, 2021, population, nitzana. Nitzana Hebrew נ צ נ ה ניצנה is an educational youth village and community settlement in southern Israel Located in the western Negev desert adjacent to the Egyptian border it falls under the jurisdiction of Ramat HaNegev Regional Council In 2021 it had a population of 408 1 Nitzana ניצנה نتساناHebrew transcription s officialNizzanaNitzana viewed from the south NitzanaShow map of Southern Negev region of IsraelNitzanaShow map of IsraelCoordinates 30 53 10 N 34 25 21 E 30 88611 N 34 42250 E 30 88611 34 42250 Coordinates 30 53 10 N 34 25 21 E 30 88611 N 34 42250 E 30 88611 34 42250Country IsraelDistrictSouthernCouncilRamat HaNegevFounded1987Population 2021 1 408 Contents 1 Ancient Nitzana 3rd c BC 7th c AD 2 Modern village 3 See also 4 ReferencesAncient Nitzana 3rd c BC 7th c AD EditMain article Nitzana Nabataean city Ancient Nitzana was founded by the Nabataeans in the 3rd century BC There are traces of a large first century BC building with a monumental staircase The settlement was a trading post on the Eilat to Gaza route In the early 2nd century AD the emperor Hadrian diverted this trade from Elat to Damascus Despite this loss Nitzana grew under Byzantine rule In the late 3rd century AD the fort was enlarged with stables for horses and camels In the 4th century a church was built attached to the north end of the fort It was dedicated to SS Sergius and Baccus In the 7th century a second church dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built 60m south east of the fort Al Auja before 1956 Remnants of the Turkish railway station At the far left the water stop The tax register for 587 9 AD indicates that the town had 1 500 inhabitants with 116 houses This was a time of prosperity with the route from Gaza to Elat reopened and pilgrim traffic to Saint Catherine s Monastery A find of late Byzantine papyri has given much detail of the life of the town Following the arrival of Islam the town went into a slow decline and by the 8th century it had ceased to exist 2 Modern village EditThe modern village was founded in 1987 by Aryeh Eliav a former member of the Knesset for several left wing parties and was named after the Nabatean city It also gives its name to the Nitzana Border Crossing formerly Auja al Hafir It was the site of Operation Volcano in 1955 an Israeli raid against Egyptian positions On 18 June 2012 an Israeli was killed in a terrorist attack near the village 3 Nitzana aerial viewSee also EditNitzanei Sinai a nearby community settlement References Edit a b Regional Statistics Israel Central Bureau of Statistics Retrieved 22 February 2023 Murphy O Conner Jerome 2008 The Holy Land An Oxford Archaeological Guide 5th edition Oxford University Press ISBN 978 0 19 923666 4 Pages 430 432 Victim of Nitzana Attack Identified Israel National News 18 June 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nitzana Israel amp oldid 1037486150, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
