Ashkelon restoration project puts Roman basilica columns back in place The massive marble columns weigh over seven tons. The fourth column will be placed next week.

April 2022 – Work has begun on the reconstruction of some of the 50 massive marble columns of the basilica in the Ashkelon National Park as part of an overall facelift for the park, and next week the fourth pillar will be put in place.

“It’s a very slow process and demands a lot of work not only to reconstruct each pillar but also to put them back in place requiring the use of two huge construction cranes to lower them down,” said Ronit Rozen, manager of the park.