Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Masada
0
This isolated mountain-top fortress about 440 m
(1,300 ft) above the banks of the Dead Sea was
fortified as early as the 1st or 2nd century BC and
then enlarged and reinforced by Herod the Great,
who added two luxurious palace complexes. On
Herod's death the fortress passed into Roman hands
but it was captured in AD 66 during the First Revolt
by Jews of the Zealot sect. After the Romans had
crushed the rebels in Jerusalem, Masada remained
the last Jewish stronghold. Held by less than 1,000
defenders, it was under Roman siege for over two
years before the walls were breached in AD 73.
Cable Car
The cable car operates daily
between 8am and 4pm;
otherwise it is a strenuous
45-60-minute climb up the
twisting Snake Path.
Upper
terrace
Snake Path
Storerooms
Middle
terrace
.
Hanging Palace
Part of the large No
Palace complex, t
Palace was Hero
residence. It wa
on three levels;
middle terrace
a circular hal
for entertaini
lower had a b
Calidarium
Masada's hot baths are
one of the best preserved
parts of the fortress. The
columns remain on which
the original floor was
raised to allow hot air
to circulate underneath
and heat the room.
rs below.
STAR FEATURES
.
Hanging Palace
. Western Palace
Synagogue
Possibly built by Herod, this
synagogue is thought to be the
oldest in the world. The stone
seats were added by the Zealots.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp261-2 and pp278-9
