Mamshit
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
This Nabatean and later Byzantine site includes ruins of two churches: Nilus Church and a larger basilica, which is believed to have been built before 427 CE.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingTours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
6 within 5 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
71 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
31
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
0
milton260
Brooklyn, NY230 contributions
Feb 2022
If you are into Nabatean history then add a star, otherwise remove a star.
Some of the signage is good & some faded from the sun. Maybe worth 1-1.5 hours. Bathroom ok, Ample tables for picnic. Needs a better snack bar. If in the area an ok stop, but not worth too much travel time.
Some of the signage is good & some faded from the sun. Maybe worth 1-1.5 hours. Bathroom ok, Ample tables for picnic. Needs a better snack bar. If in the area an ok stop, but not worth too much travel time.
Written 16 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tanners47
Seattle, WA601 contributions
In mid July, 2010, while in Israel for a month, we drove to Mamshit, an Israel national park heritage site where Nabateans once lived. We were lucky to visit Mamshit on a cloudy day, as in the summer, this Negev desert site can be very hot. Other Nabatean cities in Israel include Avdat (which we have visited...it is spectacular, high above the Negev valley below), Shivta, Rehovot, Halutza, and Nitzana. It was built in the 1st center BCE as a trading post on the way from Petra to Gaza. In the Nabatean period, Mamshit is situated on one of the important branches of the Incense Route – it sat on the route from the Idumean Mountains to the Arava, which passed through Ma’ale Akrabim and continued on to Beersheva or to Hebron and Jerusalem. This city was declared a world heritage site--in 2005
Except for two archeological workers, we were the only ones there. No one was in the booth to collect fees or give us a guide to the area. The city covers ten acres and is the smallest but best restored city in the Negev Desert. The once-luxurious houses have unusual architecture not found in any other Nabatean city. It also was an agricultural town. The reconstructed city gives the visitor a sense of how Mamshit once looked. Entire streets have survived intact, and there are also large groups of Nabataean buildings with open rooms, courtyards, and terraces.
Mamshit had a very complex system of water collection and also an amazing bathhouse, all of which have been reconstructed. The huge Nabato house is also worth seeing.
You can find more amazing pictures of the site at:
http://holyland-pictures.com/category/negev/mamshit/
One does need a car to go there, but it is definitely worth the visit.
Except for two archeological workers, we were the only ones there. No one was in the booth to collect fees or give us a guide to the area. The city covers ten acres and is the smallest but best restored city in the Negev Desert. The once-luxurious houses have unusual architecture not found in any other Nabatean city. It also was an agricultural town. The reconstructed city gives the visitor a sense of how Mamshit once looked. Entire streets have survived intact, and there are also large groups of Nabataean buildings with open rooms, courtyards, and terraces.
Mamshit had a very complex system of water collection and also an amazing bathhouse, all of which have been reconstructed. The huge Nabato house is also worth seeing.
You can find more amazing pictures of the site at:
http://holyland-pictures.com/category/negev/mamshit/
One does need a car to go there, but it is definitely worth the visit.
Written 25 August 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica K
Tel Aviv, Israel164 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Went camping at mamshit with young children. Great campsite with kitchen, tables, toilets, showers. You can rent a hut or stay in the Khan if you want. Ruins were really interesting and kids liked jumping around them. Had a great hike in the Wadi that was 2.5 km scrabbling, climbing but my little kids did the whole thing in their own. Great place to camp and hang out.
Written 5 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamestB5009YJ
Jerusalem, Israel166 contributions
May 2017 • Family
Mamshit was a Nabatean way station on the Incense Trail for camel caravans between Yemen and the Mediterranean Sea. As such, the town is small but was wealthy, providing services for the caravans with their precious cargo. Part of the Israeli National Parks system, Mamshit is one of several Nabatean sites in the Negev, most of them - such as Mamshit, Avdat and Halutz - related to the Incense Trail, apart from Shivta, which was an agricultural city. Mamshit is located east of Dimona in the Negev. Its back wall edges up to a precipace overlooking a deep wadi below, likely for defensive purposes. Occupied for at least 500-600 years during the Nabatean peak as well as during its decline as part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, the site continued to provide services to caravans until the Arab Conquest. Visitors pay a fee to enter or use their national parks card and are provided a map giving the layout of the site and some explanations. Throughout the site there are small explanatory signs noting the purpose of buildings and providing additional information about the life and culture of the city.
Written 3 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann C
Nashville, TN3,336 contributions
Jan 2017 • Couples
A desert city in the Negev- a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The site is much larger than I realized it would be.
An excellent English brochure is available at check in.
The Nabatu house has a room with impressive Greek frescoes on the ceiling.
When we visited it was not too hot, this allowed more time to roam around and enjoy the property...if you have time walk the path that takes you down to the old damn.
Over 10,000 Roman coins were found on this property.
Tip: Bring binoculars if you can...there is a great view of the Nahal Mamshit (Mamshit stream) if you walk along the outside edge of the walled city. You can see caves and animals.
The site is much larger than I realized it would be.
An excellent English brochure is available at check in.
The Nabatu house has a room with impressive Greek frescoes on the ceiling.
When we visited it was not too hot, this allowed more time to roam around and enjoy the property...if you have time walk the path that takes you down to the old damn.
Over 10,000 Roman coins were found on this property.
Tip: Bring binoculars if you can...there is a great view of the Nahal Mamshit (Mamshit stream) if you walk along the outside edge of the walled city. You can see caves and animals.
Written 15 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kitty567
New York City, NY619 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
Mamashit is one of the 65 base stations on the Incense Route that was declared a UNESCO site. It contains well preserved remains of a the Natabean period (1-2 century CE) including the caravan inns, an impressive house of the wealthy, the typical Natabean dwelling and the market, additions from the Roman period (2-4 century CE) including the gate that surrounded the city to protect it from attacks of the local Arab tribes, remains from the Byzantine period (4-7 century CE) such as the two magnificent churches, and an impressive bathhouse that modified the original Natabean one. Finally, it also includes the police station built in the 20 century during the British mandate.
P.S. In the Nabato house, do make an effort to find the decorated column capitals that are depicted in the sign posts (hint, it is in the entrance through which you will go to get to the fresco decorated room that will be on your right).
The site is impressive in the respect of how much has already been restored as well as the great potential for further restoration works.
For those who are adventurous enough, there is a great camping ground on site or at the near by camel ranch, however for those who are looking for a little bit more authenticity of the desert, I would strongly recommend the designated "hanyon laila" or the night parking where you can pitch a tent in a secluded area and enjoy the night in the desert without the accommodations. These parking spots are indicated on the Israel Hiking Map (which is currently available only in Hebrew).
P.S. In the Nabato house, do make an effort to find the decorated column capitals that are depicted in the sign posts (hint, it is in the entrance through which you will go to get to the fresco decorated room that will be on your right).
The site is impressive in the respect of how much has already been restored as well as the great potential for further restoration works.
For those who are adventurous enough, there is a great camping ground on site or at the near by camel ranch, however for those who are looking for a little bit more authenticity of the desert, I would strongly recommend the designated "hanyon laila" or the night parking where you can pitch a tent in a secluded area and enjoy the night in the desert without the accommodations. These parking spots are indicated on the Israel Hiking Map (which is currently available only in Hebrew).
Written 10 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
R C
Ramat Hasharon, Israel284 contributions
Jan 2018 • Friends
It was an organized trip of senior citizens in my hometown, with a guide.
The remains of Mamshit (ruins as well as restored houses and streets) are located near the desert city of Dimona and not very far from the Dead Sea.
Mamshit used to be a town of wealthy people (nabateans - an arab tribe) who traded in textiles, spices, precious stones/metals, exotic fragrances, arabian horses.
The place (declared World Heritage Site in 2005) is now a National Park with a Visitors' Center, camping facilities, parking plots.
It's important to bring a hat, good walking shoes, water, camera.
We wandered among restored houses (with 1-2 storeys, big rooms, arches, staircases,courtyards, stables, frescoes), wide streets separating houses, two churches, two towerwatches, a market, dams for the adjacent stream.
There's still more to be excavated and restored.
It is particularly recommended to visit the site on certain holidays when there are various activities both for adults and kids (riding camels, pottery making, glass blowing etc..)..
The remains of Mamshit (ruins as well as restored houses and streets) are located near the desert city of Dimona and not very far from the Dead Sea.
Mamshit used to be a town of wealthy people (nabateans - an arab tribe) who traded in textiles, spices, precious stones/metals, exotic fragrances, arabian horses.
The place (declared World Heritage Site in 2005) is now a National Park with a Visitors' Center, camping facilities, parking plots.
It's important to bring a hat, good walking shoes, water, camera.
We wandered among restored houses (with 1-2 storeys, big rooms, arches, staircases,courtyards, stables, frescoes), wide streets separating houses, two churches, two towerwatches, a market, dams for the adjacent stream.
There's still more to be excavated and restored.
It is particularly recommended to visit the site on certain holidays when there are various activities both for adults and kids (riding camels, pottery making, glass blowing etc..)..
Written 4 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
podrozniczka60
New Jersey16,442 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
It is very interesting for a short visit to see the Roman and Byzantine time Nabataean city especially if one visited also Petra.Within one hour time you can probably see all the main highlights including the city gate, the wealthy house and St Nilus church. Among Negev dessert hills you will see the ruins of ancient dwellings. Some tourists stay in camping area overnight.
Written 5 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MyJam0
4 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Mamshit was a stop for us in a 3 day trip to the Negev.
The place seemed to have more lenient visiting ours than other tourists spots that we've been to.
We walked through the ancient buildings, using the explanation signs put up to better understand the history, advanced techniques and intelligence of it's past residents.
It was spectacular indeed! And we even got to see a few cute lizards and a big black scorpion!
I must mention, however, that we visited it at the peak of summer, although the place was not crowded, it was very, very hot.
I'd recommend perhaps visiting when the temperature is more comfortable, and to be well prepared and protected so one won't suffer from the heat and dryness :)
The place seemed to have more lenient visiting ours than other tourists spots that we've been to.
We walked through the ancient buildings, using the explanation signs put up to better understand the history, advanced techniques and intelligence of it's past residents.
It was spectacular indeed! And we even got to see a few cute lizards and a big black scorpion!
I must mention, however, that we visited it at the peak of summer, although the place was not crowded, it was very, very hot.
I'd recommend perhaps visiting when the temperature is more comfortable, and to be well prepared and protected so one won't suffer from the heat and dryness :)
Written 24 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guy D
Ramat Gan, Israel207 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
This site - a UNESCO world heritage site - could be so much more, but is poorly maintained, staffed and visited, and is such a missed opportunity. Maintanance is so poor that almost all information signs are damaged. Such a shame.
Written 23 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
לא בכל מקום. זה מרחב גדול שאין בעיה לנוע בוא עם עגלה עם זאת יש הרבה מערות אליהם לא ניתן לרדת איתה אלא נדרש קנגורו.
עם קנגרו עברתי בכל מקום
Written 16 October 2019
Quest40097479053
Loveland, Colorado
What is your phone number? Where are you located in relationship to And Kerry reserve?
Written 19 May 2019
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing