There are several good reasons to make an effort and climb to the Montfort Fortress that dominates the Kziv stream. And more so in this season, when the we have green landscape, abundant water, rare vegetation, and beautiful flowering. The nature blends beautifully with the historical story about the castle and its builders - the Teutonic Crusader Order. The authorities had recently opened a new and more accessible trail, and the entrance is free of charge.
Henry Baker Tristram, the English pastor, visited the place in 1863 and described the site:
"After a very slow ride for three and a half hours, we reached the edge of the trail ... and another three miles later, we will discover the fort on the edge of a spur. It's hard to describe this ruin... Imagine a rocky tongue rising between two 180 meters cliffs, and its ribs are almost perpendicular to the riverbed."
Avid hikers do not give up, and they embark on the footpath from Goren Park which, starts opposite to Kibbutz Eylon, crosses the Kziv stream, and climbs to the Montfort fortress on the other side of the wadi. There are several trail variations to choose from. The most beautiful, is the one via Ein Tamir.
We will take you on a scenic road trip along the Kziv stream together with a short and easy walk that suites everyone.
The Kziv Stream (Nahal Kziv) is the largest in the western Galilee. It starts at Mount Meron by several tributaries and ends in the Mediterranean Sea.
All the creek and its surroundings are a nature reserve, including the Monfort castle, several watermills, other Crusader buildings, and several springs.
It used to be in the past a perennial stream. However, following the intense pumping of Ein Ziv, it's main spring, the flow has been reduced.
The place is a paradise for vegetation and history!
On the banks of the wadi and inside it grows a particularly mixed and diverse vegetation: Mediterranean forest which include:
Oriental Plane tall trees, Palestine Oak trees, Eastern Strawberry Trees with its red bark, Sweet Bay, Oleander, Holy Bramble, Ferns, and other river bushes and plants.
In addition, grow there these plants with big flowers: Three-Lobed Sage, Soft-Hairy Rockrose, Caesarian Mulleinand more.
Of particular interest is the vegetation we will encounter on the Montfort Fortress. Some of them bloom is inside the rock cracks surrounding the fortress:
Great Snapdragon blooms with big red flowers, Campanula damascene blooms its plae pink bells, the yellow color blossom are from the African Rue and Hypericum languinosum.
There is a special interest in the Shrubby wormwood that was probably brought there centuries ago as a medicinal plant by the Crusaders.
The highlight: The beautiful strange flower (some say it is the most beautiful flower in Israel) that is blooming these days at the top of the fort in White: The rare Rough-leaved Michauxia.
Flower addicts should make an extra effort, and continue from here to the nearby "Bartot ridge" trail, to also enjoy the blooming of the Madona Lili
How to get there:
From the village of Manot, there is a sign pointing towards the Kziv Scenic Road and the Monfort Castle. After driving along the beautiful landscape for about 3-4 kilometers (The Kziv Stream is on your left) you reach a sign pointing you to a parking lot and to a marked red trail. (Google Maps location)
Four-wheel drive cars can continue to drive on the red marked dirt road additional 2 km.
The second option: Arrive at the village of Meilya, turn left on the road leading to Mitzpe Hila. Cross Hila and continue climbing to the parking lot where the red-colored trail begins.
The sign points, as mentioned, into a wide dirt road, passing through the pastoral landscape. You walk at your pace through the woods for about 2 km.
At the end of the road to your left, there is a short descent (which is not suitable for strollers or people who are not used for hiking) to a lookout balcony providing fantastic vista on the fortress. Wow!!
From there, there is a rough "rock staircase" with iron rail support, leading you to the bottom of the creek and a narrow passage between two huge rocks bringing you to the majestic fortress.
From the end of the dirt road, it's about half-hour walk (At a leisure pace)
At the end of the tour of the fortress, follow the same route along the red path to the parking lot.
A tour of the place:
This fortress and the surrounding buildings accommodated about 1000 people in its prime period. Knights, servants, and laborers that lived here also operated a self-sustaining agriculture farm that including plants brought here from Germany. The era ended when they were conquered by the Mamluk commander Baibars who demolish the fortress. (Read the Fascinating story below).
You walk between the fortress rooms and watchtowers, admiring the views and the castle interior, and asking yourself - why on earth would anyone want to build the fortress here, where it does not dominate any important road? (Wait for the fascinating story below)
The "Central Hall" was used as the main convention hall for the Knights. In the center was an octagonal pillar (its remains can still be seen), and stone arches supported a set of domes.
The Crusaders in the Land of Israel created their own style of construction, and this knowledge was exported from the Israel and Implemented in Europe's impressive castles and fortresses.
In the main hall, you are greeted by the white flowers of the bell-shaped Rough-leaved Michauxia , the yellow flames of the sweet smelling Rush Broom and the green mountains surrounding the Kziv Stream.
Take your time, take pictures, and envy the crusaders who knew something about choosing a place to live.
It is recommended to go up the stairs to the tower and enjoy the views of the stream and the surrounding mountains.
At the end of the tour of the fortress, you must return along the same red marked path back to the parking lot where the vehicle is parked.
The story of the place:
The Montfort is a Crusader fortress built by the small Crusader Order called "The Teutonic Order", on earlier remains of an ancient farm.
This order of German knights was founded in Israel and did not come from Europe.
In 1226, the Knights of the Order began to build their fortresses, which soon became one of the most beautiful Crusader fortresses in the land of Israel. The building style is very similar to the medieval European fortresses.
Why did the Teutons erect their fortresses precisely at this remote spot?
There is no major road passing by and no villages to protect in the area. The historians discuss several reasons:
The Teutons, which were German, were not popular with the other Crusaders, who were French. The secluded place fits their worldview - here, they can operate a closed and isolated economy.
The secluded place allowed the leader to convene his knights far away, and safely embrace with them his plans to take over new territories in eastern Prussia!
Besides, the building of the fort was an excellent means of "fundraising". Once they have received permission from the Pope to become an independent order, the latter issued an approval of the fort's construction, stating that anyone who helps Teutons with financial support for the fort's construction will be forgiven for all his sins and his path to heaven will be guaranteed.
The order controlled the fortress for only 30 years until it was demolished by the Mamluk commander Baibars.
In 1271, after a siege and the destruction of the southern outer wall, the commander of the fort surrendered when he realized that he would not get any help from other Crusader orders. Baibars permitted all the surrendering crusaders to leave the fortress with their property unharmed.
Rare documents that were found here and detailed this historical period are currently archived in Germany.
It is difficult to understand how the mighty fort was built and how it was demolished.
Have fun, and don't leave trash in the area. Always have a garbage collection bag.
