Akhziv

5km/3mi north of Nahariya, at the mouth of the river Keziv, is the ancient site of Akhziv. The Old Testament city of Achzib had a mixed population, for "the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites, the inhabitants of the land" (Judges 1,31-32). The Phoenicians obtained their famous purple dye from shellfish here. Excavation brought to light a cemetery which was used for burial from the eighth to the sixth century B.C. The place was known to the Crusaders as Castel Imbert. In more recent times, until 1948, there was a village of Arab fishermen here. The site is now a National Park, with a very beautiful beach, extensive areas of grass and a restaurant. Immediately north of the National Park is a rather unprepossessing wooden house which contains an interesting private museum of archeological material. The owner purchased the property in 1952 and later declared it the independent state of Akhzivland, in which visitors can have their passport embellished by a very pretty stamp.