Page 32 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

30 ❯❯ Top 10 Israel and Petra Highlights

Masada

In AD 72–3 at the mountaintop fortress of Masada, 967 Jewish
rebels chose mass suicide over submission to Rome. Besieged
by Roman legions, the rebels held out for two years before defeat
became inevitable. Although there is evidence that a stronghold
existed here in the 2nd century BC, it was Herod the Great who
fortified the complex and added two palaces. The Romans took
Masada when Herod died, but it was recaptured by the rebels
during the First Jewish Revolt in AD 66. Since its rediscovery,
Masada has become a symbol of the modern State of Israel.

The Hanging Palace
1
Herod’s residence (above) was built on three
tiers over the cliff’s northern side. The upper level
had bed rooms, and a balcony with Dead Sea views,
while the lowest terrace had the royal bath house.
The
NEED TO KNOW 2
Synagogue
MAP H5 Possibly part of the
Fortress: Off Route 90, Herodian construction,
7.5 miles (12 km) N of this synagogue faced
Ein Bokek; (08) 658 4207; Jerusalem and would
Sunrise
Egged bus 486 from have served the Jewish 3
Jerusalem; open sum­ rebels during the revolt. Masada opens at
mer: 8am–5pm Sun–Thu They built four tiers sunrise, when the views
& Sat (to 4pm Fri), win­ of benches along the from the fort ress over
ter: 8am–4pm Sun–Thu structure’s walls and the Dead Sea all the
& Sat (to 3pm Fri), Snake
Path opens 1 hour added the pillars that way to the Jordanian
before sunrise; adm; can still be seen at the mountains are partic­
www.parks.org.il site (below). ularly stunning.
Yigal Yadin Museum:
open 8am–4pm, 1 hour
later during daylight
saving; adm
Sound and Light Show:
(08) 995 9333; Mar–Oct:
9pm Tue & Thu; adm
• The Masada Visitor
Center has a restaurant.

Eyewitness Travel – Top 10 series LAYERS PRINTED:
Three-column, 8.25pt grid “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.5)
030-031_Top_10_Israel.indd 30 19/06/2017 12:57
Date 12th May 2015
Size 100mm x 191mm