Masada is a spectacular rock towering over the Dead Sea some fifteen km south of En Gedi. It was first fortified by Alexander jannaeus, King of Judea c.103-76 BC to protect the south eastern border of the kingdom. Later it was further developed by Herod the Great as a fortress, and a palace.
Herods three tiered palace
Massada, with the Dead Sea in the distance was the location of one of the most dramatic events in Jewish history. During the Jewish revolt c. 73 A.D. the Romans attacked the stronghold.
To reach the summit the Romans built a massive ramp.
Masada was occupied by Byzantine monks in the 5th century
