Photojournal - Masada, King Herod's Mountaintop Fortress #travel #VisitIsrael

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Masada National Park is a beautiful mountaintop site overlooking the Dead Sea. There, King Herod built a huge fortress in 30 BC. Its many sprawling buildings across the mountaintop are simply awe-inspiring. Jewish rebels took Masada in 68 AD at the beginning of the Great Revolt against Rome. The Romans surrounded Masada in 72 AD and built army camps at the base of the mountain. When the Romans began their siege in 73 AD, the Jewish rebels killed their families and themselves rather than fall to the Romans. The "lots" the final ten men drew are in the museum. Masada can be ascended on foot by a snake-trail (for the very hearty traveler) or by cable car (which is how I got to the top).

Looking up from the cable car station:

One of the Roman army camps at the base of Masada:

The snake trail for those who want to hike up Masada:

Another Roman army camp:

Looking down at the cable car station, from about halfway up:

Looking across the valley:

Looking out to the Dead Sea:

Looking down from the top (400 meters above the Dead Sea):

 Looking across the valley:

Part of the Northern Palace:

Buildings on the southern side:

More buildings on the southern side:

A wall of the Northern Palace:

The "waiting room" to get into the Northern Palace:

The wall inside the "waiting room" (the blue line on the wall indicates that anything below that was still standing, and anything above it was reconstructed by materials at the site).

Views from atop Masada:

Rock terraces, part of the Northern Palace:

View from the Northern Palace:

Another Roman army camp: (notice the slanted line at the bottom left of the photo - that was a "ramp" constructed by the Romans where the final siege began.)

Me, standing under an original arched hallway in the Northern Palace:

The next few photos are some of the beautiful mosaic work at the site:

I just cannot get enough of this gorgeous view!

Masada is a MUST-SEE site when you visit Israel. The story is fascinating and I took many more photos than what I've actually shared here. The views are simply stunning!

Learn more about visiting Masada National Park in Israel HERE.

Read more about my trip to Israel HERE.

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