Ein Hemed National Park

The beautifully landscaped Ein Hemed National Park has rolling lawns, a bubbling brook (in the winter only), a large Crusader-period building, and picnic tables. This is without a doubt one of the loveliest spots in the Jerusalem area. During the Crusader period, this place was dubbed Aqua Bella or "beautiful water."

The Crusader building has two floors. An archway in the northern wall leads into the central courtyard where there are remains of an oil press. A staircase from the courtyard goes to the second floor. The largest room is that on the eastern side; it apparently had a special function, although archeologists do not know exactly what that was. This building was probably the house on an agricultural farm.