Masada – מצדה

110 km south of Jerusalem, Masada (Hebrew: מצדה) is a fortress with a significant strategic position, built by Herod the Great in an isolated plateau that rises about 440 m above the western part of the Dead Sea. It was not easy to get close to her. Apparently the only way was the narrow  Snake Path, which climbs the eastern slope of the mountain. The high plateau was first fortified around 100 BC. 

At Masada in 70 AD gathered the last remaining Hebrew patriots fighting against the Romans, during the Jewish revolt, to resist the enemy for the last time. Led by General Flavius ​​Silva, the 10 th legion surrounded Masada. The Hebrew Zealots led by Eleazar ben Yair were besieged by the Romans. Realizing that it is not possible to resist, 967 defenders of Masada chose to kill themselves and not to fall into the hands of Romans. Because suicide was forbidden by their religion the men drew lots in order to choose ten warriors which will kill all the others and this last ten finally killed one another. Two women and five children hid in a water cistern  and they could  tell what happened .

Archaeological excavations, led by Professor Yigael Yadin, revealed the ruins of a palace built on three terraces, identified by historians as the palace of the King of Judea Herod the Great; in another palace, the western palace was discovered a large mosaic pavement. Were discovered also a sophisticated water system, a complex of baths, a synagogue and a columbarium. The last remnants of the Zealots – shards as an evidence of the drawing of the lots, crumpled robes, sandals and women’s hair tails – are exhibited at the Israel Museum. These are just some of the historic treasures of Masada.

Fortress Masada was rediscovered in 1838 reconstruction began in 1966, Masada today is a big attraction for tourists. In 2001 Masada was registered in UNESCO World Heritage list.

Masada (101 pictures – click on any picture).