Page 33 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Israel & Petra

Masada ❮❮ 31

The Bathhouse
6 THE SIEGE OF
Consisting of a
caldarium (hot room), a MASADA
tepidarium (tepid room), First-century Jewish-
and a frigidarium (cold Roman historian Flavius
room) with an immersion Josephus described
pool, the bathhouse was Masada’s tragic last
set around a large open days. After the Romans
courtyard (left). The built a siege ramp and
caldarium, with several set the inner defensive
walls alight, the rebels,
columns supporting the led by Eleazar ben Ya’ir,
raised floor, is especially chose death rather than
well preserved. surrender and slavery,
killing their wives and
children before taking
their own lives.
Yigal Yadin
9
Museum
This museum makes
an excellent first stop as
its evocative exhibits –
including Roman-era
jewelry, coins, footwear,
and lots that may have
been used in the rebels’
suicide pact – provide
context for the excava-
tions atop Masada.
Water Cisterns
0
Of the 12 immense
cisterns Herod had hewn
into the mountainside,
the southernmost is the
largest. Rain and flood
water was collected and
brought up the hill to fill
Western
Snake Path
4 7 the cisterns on top of the
and Cable Car
Palace
rock. This system made
The Snake Path to the This palace was used for life in Masada possible.
summit takes at least ceremonial occa sions
45 minutes, so during and accom modating Masada
the heat of the day guests. Some mosaic
take the cable car up floors and wall frescoes 1
(above), and walk down. are superbly preserved. 6
2 4
Roman Ramp
Sound and
5 8 5
Light Show
and Camps
On the western side is Twice weekly from March 9
the ramp made by the to October, the story of 8
Romans that enabled Masada’s last days of 7
them to eventually break resistance is told via a
Masada’s defenses. A Sound and Light Show
siege wall and the camps at the western entrance. 0
encircling the site are Access is from Arad only
still visible today. (42 miles/68 km away).
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