"Masada" Top 5 Page for this destination Masada by Paul2001

Masada Travel Guide: 170 reviews and 515 photos

Masada is the most impressive archeological site that I visited while in Israel. It is an ancient fortification built, mostly by King Herod the Great, on top of a mountain plateau. Seemingly impregnable, it fell to the Romans in 73 A.D. after a legendary siege. As the story goes, the fortress was defended by Jewish Zealots after Roman captured nearby Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Because the steep slopes of mountain face made a direct assault impossible, the Roman, in an equally marvelous feat of engineering built a ramp up on side of the mountain face inorder to access the fortress walls. Finally after the ramp was completed and the fall of the fortress seemed but certain, the Zealots rather than facing enslavement by the Romans, committed mass suicide.
I have read elsewhere that this may not have been the actual facts about the fortresses capture however its stoic defense had made Masada the stuff of legends. Today Masada is symbolic of Jewish national heroism.

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In a nutshell:Israel's Greatest Archeological Site

Last visit to Masada: Nov 1996
Intro Written Jan 1, 2004
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Reviews (8)

The Storerooms Things to Do (6)

There are numerous storeroom located in Masada that you can explore. The one that you see in this photo would have been... more travel advice

The Synagogue Things to Do (6)

The synagogue was built by Herod. It is a hall 12.5m by 10.5m in size that was incorporated into the walls of the... more travel advice

Cable Car up to the mountain top - Masada

The Cable Car up to Masada Transportation (1)

Unless you want to walk up the remains of the Roman ramp on the north side of the mountain, the only way up to the ruins... more travel advice

The Mountaintop of Masada Things to Do (6)

This photo gives you a general feel of what the mountaintop of Masada looks like from above. One has to be very patient... more travel advice

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Comments (13)

Nemorino Jan 22, 2010 at 3:05 PM Report Abuse

This certainly does sound like an impressive archeological site, no matter what may or may not have happened during the siege in 73 A.D.
Bavavia Mar 23, 2008 at 8:53 AM Report Abuse

Great Masada tips! i remember walking on those round things thinking i was going to fall through!And it rained in Masada when i was there too!
gilabrand Sep 15, 2007 at 10:57 PM Report Abuse

Rain on Masada? Now that's a unique experience.
Ekaterinburg Feb 6, 2007 at 7:03 AM Report Abuse

Paul, I'm wondering if you took the cable car ride ? Fascinating stuff here. I must get to this part of the world soon but until then will continue to enjoy the virtual tours. :) Katherine.
deecat Dec 6, 2006 at 5:02 PM Report Abuse

It's been since 2004 since I've read these pages. They are still great. Paul, this is a fascinating page with historical significance. I found it to be enlightening and quite interesting.
nicolaitan Jun 9, 2006 at 6:10 PM Report Abuse

Really enjoyed your great pages on Israel and Masada - my daughter had her bas mitzvah in the Masada synagogue = a timeless memory. Great photos and commentary.
FruitLover Dec 3, 2005 at 1:47 PM Report Abuse

Fascinating enigma, indeed.
MalenaN Oct 22, 2004 at 8:47 AM Report Abuse

Masada looks like a really interesting and beautiful place to visit! I was surprised to read there is a cable car!
mtncorg Jun 14, 2004 at 12:13 PM Report Abuse

A very fascinating look at Masada. And a much more cost effective tour choice option to boot ;-]
vaticanus Feb 26, 2004 at 6:50 PM Report Abuse

Fascinating tour. Roman engineering and siegecraft always surprising. And the best heroes always seem to be on the losing side.