"Masada - Silent Evidence of Jewish Determination" Masada by FruitLover

Masada Travel Guide: 144 reviews and 526 photos

The Masada Enigma

All that we know about the dramatic events that occurred on Masada in the year 74CE is derived from two sources: the account recorded by the Jewish historian JOSEPH BEN MATTATHIAS (usually known by his Greek name, JOSEPHUS FLAVIUS) in his two main works - "Antiquities of the Jews" and "Wars of the Jews" - and archaelogical evidence.

Masada was chosen as a royal fortress primarily because of its inaccessibility. Its combination of steep slopes and towering cliffs forged a formidable natural defense system.

The Snake Path, so called by Josephus because of its many serpentine twists and turns, climbs up the slope of the nountain from the East - ascending 350 meters from the desert floor to the summit. In the ancient period, it converged with desert trails leading south to Sodom and north to Ein-Gedi, but its main significance was its connection to the Dead Sea maritime route, the fastest way to get to Jericho - where the HASMONEAN and HERODIAN winter palaces were located.

Masada was girded by a wall that enclosed the whole mountaintop except for its northern tip. This perimeter wall was a double wall divided into chambers - or casemates. It was 6.5 meter wide, and was built from local stone plastered within and without. Its total length was 1,290 meters.

Masada - World Heritage List

Judean Desert around Masada

"Masada is a rugged natural fortress of majestic beauty, in the Judean Desert overlooking the Dead-Sea. It is a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, its violent destruction and the last stand of Jewish patriots in the face of the Roman army in 73 CE.

It was built as a palace complex, in the classic style of the early Roman Empire by Herod the Great , king of Judea reigned in the years 37 - 4 BCE.

The camps, fortifications and ramp that encircle the monument constitute the most complete Roman siege works surviving to the present day."

Masada - Silent Evidence of Jewish Determination - Masada

Pros and Cons

Pros:Fascinating rare historical monument of enigma & myth
In a nutshell:Visit Masada for better understanding of the Israeli Spirit

Last visit to Masada: Jan 2006
Intro Updated Apr 25, 2008
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Reviews (9)

Water at Masada Things to Do (8)

"At each spot used for habitation, both on the summit and about the palace, as also before the wall, he had cut out in... more travel advice

Mosaic Things to Do (8)

more travel advice

Masada - The Byzantine Church Off The Beaten Path (1)

During the fifth century, a small groups of monks lived on Masada. This religious settlement was part of a process that... more travel advice

Masada - The Northern Palace Things to Do (8)

The Northern Palace is one of the most exceptional edifices erected by Herod. To design this three-tiered palace, his... more travel advice

Comments (5)

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angiebabe Aug 27, 2008 at 3:41 AM

Excellent thanks Avi. Looking forward to seeing it for real so I can understand how they lived up there!
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Bavavia Apr 29, 2006 at 9:01 PM

how did you get so close to the bird to take that picture?
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mignonne Mar 4, 2006 at 6:40 AM

Sounds like an exciting destination...hmm...I'll add it to my wishlist!
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kenHuocj Feb 25, 2006 at 6:03 AM

no photos, but wonderful photographic memories remain ;-)))
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hekate Jan 6, 2006 at 1:59 AM

Facinating place, Avi. Thanks for sharing your expirience. Nina