Elusa (Haluza)
חלוצה - الخلصة | |
| Alternative name | Halasa Chellous al-Khalasa Elusa |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern District, Israel |
| Region | Negev |
| Coordinates | 31°05′49″N 34°39′07″E / 31.097°N 34.652°E |
| Type | Settlement |
| History | |
| Cultures | Nabataean, Roman |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
| Official name | Incense Route - Desert Cities in the Negev (Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta) |
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, v |
| Designated | 2005 (29th session) |
| Reference no. | 1107 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
The ancient city of Halasa or Chellous (Greek: Χελλοὺς), Elusa (Ελουϲα) in the Byzantine period, was a city in the Negev near present-day Kibbutz Mash'abei Sadeh that was once part of the Nabataean Incense Route. It lay on the route from Petra to Gaza. Today it is known as Haluza (Hebrew: חלוצה), and during periods of Arab habitation it was known as al-Khalūṣ (Arabic: الخلوص; Early Muslim period) and Al-Khalasa (الخلصة; 20th century).
In the 5th century it was surrounded by vineyards and was famous for its wines.
Due to its historic importance, UNESCO declared Haluza a World Heritage Site along with Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta.