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Rosh Hanikra Grottoes

Introduction

Rosh HaNikra grottoes are located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, in the Western Galilee. In Arabic they are known as Ras al-Nakura, these white chalk, soft rock cliffs offer a panoramic view of the Mediterranean Sea. The total length of this cliff is around 200 meters. A cable car station sits on top of the rock and it brings visitors to the bottom of the rock. It is one of the steepest cable car in the world (some claim it is the steepest). The lower station is located at the base and to reach this one ascends at a gradient of 60 degrees.

This sole road brings visitors to the Rosh HaNikra grottoes - in the distance covered area has banana plantation
This sole road brings visitors to the Rosh HaNikra grottoes - in the distance covered area has banana plantation
Parking area is at the bottom of the cliff for public use
Parking area is at the bottom of the cliff for public use
A tower with radar on a hill on Israeli side of Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
A tower with radar on a hill on Israeli side of Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
A cable car brings visitors to the bottom of the cliffs
A small bridge seen on the site, seen from the cable car
A small bridge seen on the site, seen from the cable car
The cable car station on top of the rock
The lower station is located at the base of the rock
Beautiful clouds in the evening over the Mediterranean Sea
Beautiful clouds in the evening over the Mediterranean Sea
Bottom of the white chalk cliff - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
Bottom of the white chalk cliff - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
In the middle of this photo, an Israeli naval patrol boat can be seen
In the middle of this photo, an Israeli naval patrol boat can be seen

The Grottoes

These caves are formed as a result of the rain water and the ocean waves over the centuries hitting the rock constantly. Inside the grottoes, lit by the luminescent blue of the Mediterranean, waves crash with awesome power against the bone-white walls. The front of the cliff resembles to an elephant’s trunk. 
While I was at the cliff, a fisherman landed a fish on the rock. In no time, he landed another one on the rock, it must be one of his good days at the sea. There was a warning sign for visitors advising them not to climb the rock. The rock itself was full of sharp and pointy stones.

Sea water rushing inside the Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
A beautiful view of the grottoes - in other words it can be called a sea cave
A beautiful view of the grottoes - in other words it can be called a sea cave
These caves are formed by the rain water and the ocean waves over the centuries
Waves crashing against the walls of the cave
Here water looks so calm because one of the waves has just retreated after crashing into the wall
Here water looks so calm because one of the waves has just retreated after crashing into the wall
The area was wet and slippery but sound of the waves was amazing
In this photo, water was moving to the left of the cave with great speed
In this photo, water was moving to the left of the cave with great speed
A spectacular view of white chalk cliff face - the grottoes are located on the left side of the cliff
The front of this cliff resembles to an elephant's trunk
Beyond this cliff lies Lebanon - the waterways on the left belong to Lebanon
Beyond this cliff lies Lebanon - the waterways on the left belongs to Lebanon
One of the fishermen lands his catch on the rock
One of the fishermen lands his catch on the rock
Few seconds later, he lands another one on the rock
Few seconds later, he lands another one on the rock
Sharp and pointy stones on the rock - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
Sharp and pointy stones on the rock - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
Clouds hanging around, over the Mediterranean while sun has almost gone down
Clouds hanging around, over the Mediterranean while sun has almost gone down
Clouds at the Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
Clouds at the Rosh Hanikra Grottoes

Railway Bridge

An old railway bridge was located here but it was destroyed by the Jewish underground organisation in 1948. These tunnels were excavated by British army engineering units from New Zealand and South Africa in 1941 and 1942 to establish a rail link. In the past, the trade caravans and armies between Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Africa would use this area to cross the lands.

An old railway bridge at the bottom of the rock
An old railway bridge at the bottom of the rock
These tunnels were excavated by British army engineering units from New Zealand and South Africa in 1941
These tunnels were excavated by British army engineering units from New Zealand and South Africa in 1941
Israeli side of the tunnel - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
Israeli side of the tunnel - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
The tunnel in the distance connects to Lebanon but it is blocked since 1948
The tunnel in the distance connects to Lebanon but it is blocked since 1948
A cable car leaving the base station
A cable car leaving the base station
Looking back at the sea from inside of the cable car - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
Looking back at the sea from inside of the cable car - Rosh Hanikra Grottoes
A view of the Mediterranean Sea from the top
This sign shows the distance from Beirut and Jerusalem - the Lebanese border gate is to the right but photography was prohibited
This sign shows the distance from Beirut and Jerusalem - the Lebanese border gate is to the right but photography was prohibited