Masada -Ancient Fortress, Israel (UNESCO-World Heritage Site)

Cable car heading down from Masada

The cliff on the east edge of Masada are about 1,300 feet or 400 m high

Masada reveals incredible views of the Judean Desert and Dead Sea

The scenery surrounding Masada is incredible.

Masada, the desert fortress that was the scene of a mass suicide 2,000 years.

The scenery surrounding Masada is incredible.

The story of Masada is both dramatic and emotional

The scenery surrounding Masada is incredible.

The scenery surrounding Masada is incredible.

Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada

Masada reveals incredible views of the Judean Desert and Dead Sea

The scenery surrounding Masada is incredible.

Scenery of the Judean Desert seen from Masada

Masada was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001

The site of Masada was identified in 1842 and extensively excavated between 1963 and 1965 by an expedition led by Israeli archeologist Yigael Yadin.

Masada,  synagogue was found ...remains of the partially restored walls....

Masada,    .....remains of the partially restored walls....

Masada,    .....remains of the partially restored walls....

Masada, archaeology indicates modified some of the structures

Masada, remains of the partially restored storerooms

Masada,  view of Judean Desert  from   the partially restored storerooms

Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada

Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada

Masada, Herod

Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada, just outside the circumvallation wall.

Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada, just outside the circumvallation wall.

Masada, view of Judean Desert

Masada,  900 Jewish fighters committed suicide, leading to the fall of the fort to the Romans

View from Masada

Remains of the mural in the Roman-style bath at Masada

Partial reconstruction of the caldarium in one of Masada’s bath .  The caldarium (hot room) had a suspended floor supported by 200 small brick pillars.

Full View - Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada, just outside the circumvallation wall

View of Herod Judean Desert and herod

Excavations at the site have been conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of Yigael Yadin since the early 1960s.

Excavations at the site have been conducted by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem under the direction of Yigael Yadin since the early 1960s.

Full View - Remnants of one of several legionary camps at Masada, just outside the circumvallation wall

Masada, Roman legion X Fretensis laid siege to the fortress and  failed attempts to breach the wall

Masada, Romans....built a circumvallation wall and then a rampart against the western face of the plateau, using thousands of tons of stones and beaten earth.

Judean Desert viewed from Masada