Masada

Aerial View of the Masada
an aerial view of masada

Masada (in Hebrew: מצדה – metsada means: fortress) is an archaeological site.

Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel. It is on top of an isolated rock plateau. The rock is on the east of the Judaean Desert, and overlooks the Dead Sea.

Herod the Great fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BC, and built palaces for himself on the mountain.

According to Josephus, the Sicarii, a splinter group of the Hebrew Zealots, held out against a Roman legion here. This was the Siege of Masada at the end of the First Jewish–Roman War.

  • An Ancient Roman Hot Room

    A caldarium (hot room) in northern Roman-style public bath (#35 on plan)

     

  • Pillars in the remains of the Masada

    The Northern Palace’s lower terrace (#39 on plan)

     

  • Ruins of a Herodian swimming pool

    Stepped pool interpreted by Yadin as a Herodian swimming pool, possibly used as a public ritual immersion bath (mikveh) by the rebels (#17 on plan)

     

  • Ruins of a Bysintine Church

    Byzantine church