Ashkelon, an independent Canaanite fortified city-state in the Middle Bronze Age, had an impressive earth ramparts covered with glacis. The city gate, made of mud bricks built around 1850 BCE, is the oldest known arc construction. Ashkelon has a long history since then. In the Late Bronze Age the city was under the Egyptian control, in the Iron Age it was one of the five Philistine city-states and last to survive, it conquered and destroyed by the Babylonians in 604 BCE. During the Hellenistic Period, the city was an independent exterritorial city within the Phoenician influence. During the Roman and the Byzantine Periods, the city flourished as a commercial center and become famous for its wine production and trade. Ashkelon was significant place under the early Islam, was occupied for a short period by the Crusaders, followed by the Mameluke, and then by the Ottoman. Today you can see the impressive Middle Bronze Age earth ramparts, the glacis and the city gate, the Roman basilica, the Middle Ages Muslim and the Crusaders fortification, the glacis, and the moat. As a visitor, you can enjoy the recreation facilities, the picnic tables, and the nearby swimming beach.