נגישות ישראל

Construction of the new, massive Terminal 3 at Ben Gurion Airport - Israel's largest infrastructure project - is over and the terminal will open on November 1st, 2004.

The ! billion, colossal structure covers 6800 acres of land and transform Ben Gurion Airport into one of the most modern, efficient and beautiful portals in the world.

The new state-of-the-art terminal consists of two "Buy and Bye" mega commercial centers, offering a vast array of domestic and duty-free stores for the shopping pleasure of departing and returning travelers, their arrival and departure escorts and the public at large, comfortable restaurants and refreshment areas, banks, drug stores, computer centers and more. Large elevators leading to and from exits and parking areas are placed throughout the terminal for those burdened with luggage and trolleys. Access to all stores and departure gates will be available via moving ramps and walkways all through the terminal. The terminal is featuring stunning architectural designs and arches, terraced gardens, multi-level gridges and spacious parking areas. All terminal 3 facilities will offer easy access to handicapped travelers.

Click here for further information about the project.

The Design...

In a joint initiative of the director of the Israel Airports Authority, Mr. Gabi Ophir, and the director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Mr. Shuka Dorfman, it was decided to impart to the walls of Terminal 3 an artistic design by displaying on them ancient mosaics unearthed in archeological excavations in Israel.

This initiative satisfies a dual aim - that of the Antiquities Authority to take out of storage archaeological treasures that were excavated at various locations in Israel and to display them to the general public, and that of the Airports Authority to welcome passengers entering Israel with an impressive and unique display symbolizing, by its integration in the special architecture of Terminal 3, the link between this modern and innovative national project and the deeply rooted history of the Land of Israel.

A joint team, set up by the Airports and Antiquities authorities, selected three mosaic floors discovered at three different archeological sites:

Mosaic floor from the fifth or sixth century A.D. uncovered in the Beit Sh'ean excavations. The floor is decorated with birds wearing ornamental bands, and above the decoration appears the inscription, written in Greek: "Blessed shall you be in your comings and blessed shall you be in your goings."
Mosaic floor from the sixth century A.D. found in Bethlehem in the Galilee, ornamented with vine tendrils woven about figures of animals and birds as well as trees, a grape basket and a conch.
Mosaic floor from the sixth century A.D. dug up in Caesarea, adorned with geometric patterns, animals, trees, structures and the figure of a rider. Standing at the center is the figure of a woman carrying a fruit basket. The woman's rare Greek name, "Kalokaria", hints at the personification of the word "beneficent" or "plenty."

The agreement between the Airports Authority and Antiquities Authority is valued at NIS 460,000 and it confers on the Airports Authority the right to use the mosaics throughout the period of use of the terminal.

Pictures of the mosaics are attached

And a New Way to Get There...

As we told you in our previous newsletter, you can now get directly to the new terminal by train. 64 trains, including a few night trains, will make the daily exchange to and from Nahariya-Haifa-Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion. The trains will leave passengers at the Airport's new Terminal 3.

When planning your next trip to Israel, make sure to visit http://www.israrail.org.il/english/index.html beginning October 10 to view the new train schedule.