Tower of Shechem

The tower of Shechem was a fortress that stood on the acropolis, the highest fortified part of Shechem. It contained the temple of Baal-berith and was located within the city walls. Shechem was in the hill country of Ephraim, near Mount Gerizim.

The tower of Shechem served as the city’s fortress. When Abimelech attacked, the leaders of Shechem fled there for safety. They took refuge in the inner room of the temple of Baal-berith. Abimelech set the structure on fire, killing all the men and women inside (Judges 9:46–49).

Archaeologists have found the remains of the tower of Shechem at Tell Balata, the site of ancient Shechem. The site is a short distance northeast of modern Nablus. Excavations show that the tower served both as a temple and as a fortress.

See also Shechem.