Castel National Park
The fortified summit above Maoz Zion was fought over repeatedly in the 1948 war, because it overlooks the Tel Aviv–Jerusalem road; it fell to Jewish forces on 9 April 1948. Before that the Romans and then the Crusaders built forts here. See Castel National Park.
Abu Ghosh
Visit the Crusader church of about 1140, one of the best-preserved Crusader buildings in Israel, now part of a Benedictine abbey, and the Monastery of Our Lady of the Ark of the Covenant on the hill, by tradition the site of biblical Kiriath-jearim. The Abu Ghosh Music Festival brings choirs and ensembles to the churches twice a year, in autumn and late spring.
Walks and lookouts
Halilim Park in Mevaseret, the lookouts at Motza Illit and Neve Ilan, and the reservoir at Beit Zayit. See parks and sights.
History nearby
An ancient burial cave from the Second Temple period was found on Nahal Sorek Street in 2003, and the medieval ruin of Khirbet Beit Mizza is inside the town. The Biblical Garden is at Yad HaShmona, and the Harel Brigade memorial is at Har Adar.