Dead Sea

Masada is a place located on an isolated rock plateau in southern district of Israel near the eastern edge of Judean Desert. This place is a site of ancient fortifications and palaces. From Masada, tourists are able to have a direct view of the Dead Sea. The place gained popularity after the first Jewish-Roman War, also known as the Great Jewish Revolt. Masada is a famous tourist spot in Israel.

History of Masada

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The history of Masada admits a true story of Jewish resistance against Roman troops. A group of rebels called Zealots took shelter in Masada after Romans destroyed Jerusalem. These rebels were the people who had started rebellious activities against Romans.

Zealots with an army of 1,000 men defended Masada against Roman troops having strength of 15,000. The Zealots had built a fortress on the mountaintop whose ruins are still seen in Masada. Romans built a wall around the mountain and Zealot camps to close all escape routes. Those Roman ruins exist until today.

To climb up the fortress, the Roman army built a ramp. Zealots could daily see the progress made by Romans towards them. Hence, they decided to commit suicide before Romans could arrive at their doorsteps. The reason behind Zealots killing themselves was that they did not wish to accept Roman slavery. First, they killed their wives and children and then they killed each other.

Archeologists have found remains of Zealot existence in Masada. They found houses, ritual bath places, synagogue and skeletons. They also found remains of their last meal and evidence of fire. Therefore, this place holds a position of immense importance for Israel. Any new soldier who joins Israeli Army needs to take an oath in Masada. The oath is “Never will Masada fall again.”

Masada in Recent Times

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Today, Masada is one of the most popular and famous tourist spots in Israel. Thousands of people come to Israel to glimpse Masada. The Israeli government has restored all the remains including the Snake Path of Masada for tourists. To reach the mountaintop, tourists have an option of either climbing the Snake Path or using cable cars. The Roman ramp is present even today and tourists use it to climb to the top of the mountain.

The synagogue, houses, and storehouses of Zealot people are main attractions for tourists. Wall painting of Herod’s two main palaces is another tourist attraction at Masada. Today, Masada exhibits the same feeling of the Jewish-Roman war because of its arid environment and less human habitats.