Masada

Masada (in Hebrew: מצדה - metsada means: fortress) is an archaeological site, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Masada is an ancient fortification in the Southern District of Israel. It is on top of an isolated rock plateau, like a mesa. The rock is on the east of the Judaean Desert, and overlooks the Dead Sea.

Herod the Great fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BC, and built palaces for himself on the mountain.

According to Josephus, the Sicarii, a splinter group of the Hebrew Zealots, held out against a Roman legion here. This was the Siege of Masada at the end of the First Jewish–Roman War. The seige ended in the mass suicide of 960 people – the rebels and their families.

The hill is 63 meters above the sea level and 450 above the dead sea level near Mount Elazar.

Other websites

Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Bence Kiss-Dobronyi
8 December 2016
It's a rather big place, so set aside at least a few hours if you want to see everything. The descending from on foot takes about 45 mins, the terrain is not so difficult and a big experience.
EL AL USA
7 June 2012
Did you know that Masada was built on top of a flat rock plateau at the western end of the Judean Desert? Masada means “fortress” and it is approximately 1800 x 900 feet in size. Our passengers love!
Camilia
7 October 2016
Built by Herod, King of Judea, Masada was a palatial fortress in the style of the ancient Roman East.
Jan Teuteberg
10 October 2016
Don't forget the cap on your head and a bottle of water when visiting
E W
27 January 2017
A great stop on any tour of Israel. King Herod's winter palace.
Mariano Cataldi
9 July 2015
Increíbles ruinas romanas en la cima de una montaña. Importante parte de la historia Judía. Hace bastante calor, se recomienda agua y algún gorro. Espectacular vista del Mar Muerto y el desierto.
Load more comments
foursquare.com

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Isrotel Ganim Hotel Dead Sea

starting $167

Oasis Dead Sea Hotel

starting $129

Crowne Plaza Dead Sea Hotel

starting $136

The Royal Hotel Dead Sea

starting $181

Leonardo Inn Hotel Dead Sea

starting $186

David Dead Sea Resort & Spa

starting $124

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cave of Letters

The Cave of Letters is a cave located in the Dead Sea area that

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Ein Gedi

Ein Gedi (he-n. עֵין גֶּדִי, lit. Kid Spring (as in young goat); KJ

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Dead Sea

The Dead Sea (he-n. יָם הַ‏‏מֶ‏ּ‏לַ‏ח, Шаблон:Transl, 'Sea

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Susya

Susya (Hebrew: סוּסְיָא‎) refers to the site of an ancient village o

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Lot's Wife (rock formation)

Lot's Wife is a geological formation overlooking the Dead Sea, a

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Mount Sodom

Mount Sodom (Arabic: جبل السدوم‎, Jabal(u) 'ssudūm; Hebrew: הר

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Yatir Forest

Yatir Forest (Hebrew: יער יתיר‎) is a forest in Israel, located

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Cave of the Patriarchs

The Cave of the Patriarchs, also called the Cave of Machpelah (Hebrew:

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Herodium

Herodium or Herodion (הרודיון, Arabic: هيروديون, Jabal al-Fraidees) i

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Nimrod Fortress

The Nimrod Fortress or Nimrod's Fortress, (Arabic: Qala'at al-Subeiba,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Gamla

Gamla (Hebrew גמלא Gamla or Gamala), a site inhabited since the Ear

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Machaerus

Machaerus (Arabic: ِقلة المشناقى Qalatu l-Mishnāqá, Hebrew Mechwa

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Al Karak

Karak City is the capital and largest city of the Karak Governorate.

See all similar places