Many visitors mistakenly believe that the ancient city within the walls has been the home of Akko “since time immemorial.” In fact, until about 2000 years ago, Akko was located on a limestone hill a few hundred meters east of the ancient Akko. This is Tel Akko (or Napoleon’s Hill, as the city’s residents call it).
Settlement at this hill began about 5,000 years ago, and evidence from archaeological excavations conducted at the site, one of the largest of its kind in the area, describes a fortified city with a fortress in the northeast of the hill. The city is mentioned in the Book of Judges 1:31 – “Asher did not drive out the inhabitants of Acco.”
After parking in the parking lot (marked on the map with a P), it seems that from the northwestern corner of the hill, two paved walking paths emerge, winding through the hill and its surroundings, offering visitors several different variations for wandering the green hill among the remains of the tel. Alongside the paths, there is also a “single track” – a narrow path intended for cyclists. A short distance from the parking lot, we can see the remains of the ancient city gate, alongside which are stairs and wooden decking. (The location of the gate is marked on the map in green).
A statue of Napoleon on horseback is placed here at the top of the hill and attracts many visitors (marked on the map in purple). The statue commemorates Napoleon’s arrival with his army in Akko in 1799 in his attempt to conquer the ancient Akko. However, despite the prolonged siege he imposed on the city, he was unsuccessful since Akko was well fortified.
In the spring season, there is impressive spring blooming at the tel and its surroundings, and from the tel itself, we can admire the stunning views that greet us from all directions – ancient Akko, Haifa Bay, the city of Haifa, and the Carmel mountain range, the Naaman marsh, and more from the landscapes of western Galilee.
Lily Sharon Park, named after the late wife of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, is located across the road north of Tel Akko and also offers, after we carefully crossed the busy road at the crosswalks, walking paths among pine and eucalyptus groves, as well as playgrounds for children and picnic areas. The park is fenced and can only be entered between the hours of 6:30 AM and 10:00 PM. Parking in the parking lot of this park is subject to a fee. Entry to the park and the tel is free. (The entry points to the park and its facilities are marked on the map in orange).
Difficulty level – Easy and suitable for the whole family.
Estimated walking duration – About one to two hours.
Directions:
We will exit from the northern entrance of the Carmel Tunnels and continue according to the signs to the bypass road of the Krayot, where we will drive until the Kiryat Naaman interchange and continue on Route 4 to the Ein HaMifratz junction. At the Ein HaMifratz junction, we will turn left onto Route 8510, cross the Naaman Stream, and near the Azrieli Mall in Akko, we will turn right towards the East Akko junction and pass under the railway tracks.
At the roundabout after passing the tracks, we will turn right and park in a small parking lot adjacent to the football field of Hapoel Akko. As of March 2015, parking in this lot is free, although it is recommended not to leave valuables in the car.
*The information is provided as a public service; the details mentioned in the article may change from time to time.