How the majesty of Masada awed me

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Majestic Masada

Masada-wall - TheWingedFork — One of the walls at the top of Masada

While on our way to discover the secrets of the Dead Sea region and the healing properties of the Dead Sea, we stopped for a few hours at Masada. The 2000 year old fortification once housed King Herod’s palace, with its 3 rock terraces, overlooking the Dead Sea.

We took the cable car up to the top, (the easy way), although there were some brave souls that took the infamous snake path up.

Snake-path - TheWingedFork — Snake Path from above

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snake-path-2 - TheWingedFork — Another view of the snake path

At the top of Masada

The ruins of this great fortification were at one time the palace of King Herod and later when it was used as the last Jewish strongholds against the Romans in 70 AD.

Masada-replica - TheWingedFork — Replica of Masada

The history of the fortress is a testament to courage and the love of freedom. The Jews staying here choose to die free rather than be enslaved for the rest of their lives. Archaeologists have also started re-marking the sites of the Roman encampments of 15,000 troops that were around the fortress in 70 AD, when the Romans besieged it.

Roman-encampment - TheWingedFork — A view of the excavated Roman encampments below

Excavations at Masada

The fortress and palace was so ingeniously built that even though it is located in the middle of the Desert, on top of a Mountain, the residents had a permanent source fresh water coming through the cisterns.

black-Masada - TheWingedFork — Black Marker – Original versus Rebuilt wall

There is a black marker on the ruins that shows how much was found intact and the parts above that that have been re-built using the same old stones.

Some of the mosaic on the tiles are still perfectly preserved and have a lot of colour as well.

red-tiles - TheWingedFork — More excavated tiles

Archaeologists have also excavated what looked to be like a sauna or steam room.

Sauna - TheWingedFork — Steam Room or Sauna excavations

pottery - TheWingedFork — Pottery excavations

Roaming around at the top

Flavius-Masada - TheWingedFork — A writing by Flavius about life in Masada

There was so much to see, and we spent quite a bit of time walking around.

Dead-Sea-Masada - TheWingedFork — Dead Sea in the Distance

The dead sea in the distance looked lovely.

road-Masada - TheWingedFork — Road and encampments

The road with trees looked like a miniature model of life in a desert. And we could see more of the Roman encampments on the other side.

No matter what time of year it is, Masada is majestic and glorious symbol of courage and freedom. As it is said, Masada will never fall again, Sheynit Masada lo tipul.

I’m so glad I visited Israel again and saw Masada, Eilat, Jerusalem and so much more. Have you been there yet?

The Masada Fortress in Israel - TheWingedFork

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Post Author: Sarah

Sarah has worked in travel for 11 years and specializes in Africa. She caters to clients looking to travel to niche destinations across the globe, whether it’s climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, rafting on the Zambezi River, viewing seals and penguins in Antarctica or walking Safaris in Africa.... She loves music, wine, food and travel. Her love for nature and wildlife makes her work even more enjoyable and satisfying. Armed with her Canon, she likes to take photographs and write stories that inspire you to pack your bags and take off around the globe.