- Address: southwest coast of the Dead Sea, Israel;
- Working hours: every day from 8:00 to 17:00;
- Website: parks.org.il;
- Phone: +972 8-658-4207.
In Israel, many attractions associated with the difficult history of the Jewish people, his eternal suffering, the devotion of his nation and inexhaustible belief in a brighter future. But there is one truly cult place, which became an unspoken symbol of heroism and an unprecedented courage of Jews. This is the fortress of Massada. It proudly towers over the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea , keeping the history of the old times holy. Every year thousands of tourists from all over the world come here to pay tribute to the fearless warriors, who until the last defend their land, and also to enjoy the incredible views that open from the top of the mountain.
General information and interesting facts
What is remarkable about the fortress:
- the location of the fortress of Massada - the south-western shore of the Dead Sea (Southern District);
- the nearest town is Arad (about 20 km);
- Since 2001, the fortress was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List;
- the dimensions of the flat plateau on the summit are 550 × 270 m;
- height - 450 m above sea level;
- thickness of the fortress wall - 4 m;
- the name of the fortress was derived from the word "mezad", which in Aramaic means "strengthening", "safe place";
- in 2005 one of the seeds of dates found during the excavations on Masada grew (today the tree already has a height of about 2.5 m);
- in the early 80-ies the Hollywood director took about the Massada fortress series (most of the filming was done directly on the mountain and near its foot);
- before the soldiers of the IDF were brought to the ancient fortress to give the oath, which ended with a line from the poem of Yitzhak Lamdan - "Massada will not fall again" (this ceremony is currently being held in Latrun).
History of the fortress
The first to climb a high mountain off the coast of the Dead Sea were the Hasmoneans. They built here some kind of fortifications in the 30s BC. e. After a while, Herod the Great came to power in Judea, who was known for his paranoid ideas. It always seemed to him that conspiracies were spinning around, and someone wanted to kill him. To protect his family, the king ordered to equip the mountain at the top of the mountain, and do it with a royal sweep. At the end of construction, the reserve royal residence resembled a bunker. It was more like a small city. There were several palaces, warehouses for provisions and weapons, a full-fledged water supply system, hot and cold baths, an amphitheater, a synagogue and much more.
About the historical significance of the fortress of Massada began to speak only in the first half of the XIX century, when the famous explorer E. Robinson identified in the ruins on the mountain near the Dead Sea the remains of the legendary castle described by Josephus in his famous book "The Jewish War".
Historians compiled an approximate plan of the fortress, after the research was carried out a partial reconstruction of some objects and in the twentieth century, finally, the fortress of Massada took its place of honor among the sights of Israel. In 1971, they built a cable car connecting the foot and top of the mountain.
What to see in the fortress of Massada?
The most impressive ancient relic, which has survived, albeit in a fragmentary form, is the Northern Palace of Herod the Great . We built it in three tiers directly on a steep rock. The height difference between the floors was almost 30 meters. The entrance to the palace was on top. There were also sleeping rooms, an entrance hall, a luxurious semi-circular balcony, and several rooms for servants.
The middle tier was a huge hall for ritual ablutions. The ground floor served for guests and rest. Herod built a large hall with columns, baths and swimming pools.
In addition to the North Palace, in the fortress of Masada there are other partially preserved buildings. Among them:
- The western palace is the largest building on the mountain (an area of about 4000 km ²), fragments of mosaic floors, remains of residential and office premises, royal baths, reception rooms and workshops are preserved here;
- a fortress wall 1400 meters long that surrounded almost all the plateaus on the mountain (the only building that was not covered by it was the North Palace, but it did not need additional protection, since it was not possible to get close to it because of its strategic location - on a steep rock);
- warehouses - they are on the territory of the fortress of Massada, there are about 15 (inside stored food and weapons);
- The synagogue is one of the oldest in all of Israel (formerly believed that the Jews began to build synagogues only after the destruction of the Second Temple, but the discovered ruins of the prayer site in Massada have refuted this assumption).
Also, walking through the ancient ruins, you will see the remains of the ritual mikvah , pits for collecting rainwater , quarry , dovecote and other household facilities, you can make stunning panoramic photos against the backdrop of the fortress of Massada, the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea.
Information for tourists
- climb up can be on the "Snake path" or, using the funicular (it is located on the east side);
- hiking takes about 45-60 minutes;
- the cost of individual excursions on the mountain: with an independent lift, an adult ticket costs $ 6, a child costs $ 3.5, a guide service + an adult funicular costs $ 17, for children $ 9.5;
- the cost of group excursions on the mountain: with an independent lift, an adult ticket costs $ 5.5, children's $ 3, guide services + funicular for adults costs $ 16, for children $ 9;
- the cost of a general excursion throughout the entire Masada National Park (without funicular) - for adults 12.5, for children - 6;
- visit the fortress of Massada at any time of the year: from October to March, the entrance is open from 08:00 to 16:00, from April to September from 08:00 to 17:00;
- The funicular runs daily, except Fridays, until 16:00 (in the winter until 15:00);
- at the foot of the mountain there is an information center, a cafe, a museum;
- You can book a room in a small hotel (on the east side);
- on holidays and on Fridays, cash desks are closed one hour earlier;
- from March to October on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Masada National Park, an evening light and sound show is held, during which events are being recreated, dedicated to the most legendary siege of the fortress (you can approach the venue only from Arad, an adult ticket costs $ 11.5 , children's - $ 9.5).
How to get there?
The fortress of Massada can be approached from two sides: from Arad (along the route No. 3199) and from the east side along the road leading from the exit from Highway 90. Everywhere there are signs, and at the foot of the mountain there are large parking lots, so if you are traveling to machine, there will be no problems.
You can get more economical option - by public transport from Jerusalem , Eilat , Neve Zohar, Ein Gedi. At the exit from Highway 90 there are bus stops (buses No. 384, 421, 444 and 486). But keep in mind that up to Mount Masada will need to go more than 2 km.