Masada (The Stronghold)

Masada was the location of a massive series of palaces and storehouses designed to protect Herod in case of war.  There were gardens, a swimming pool, elaborate bath-house, cisterns (refilled by rainwater), stores, and a synagogue.  Of course only the stone remains of these elaborate structures is visible today. 

To get to Masada, we took a cable car straight up a huge desert mountain to the plateau.  It must have been an incredible challenge to get the materials up to this location to build such elaborate rooms.  That's what made it such a safe haven for Herod.  The approach was difficult.  The Romans built a ramp on the west side that is still visible today although tourists are no longer allowed access to it. The ramp gave them access to the few Jews that were still living at Masada but by the time the Roman's entered, there were none still living.  There's a lot more to this story if you want to read about it. http://www.bibleplaces.com/masada.htm

View from the cable car.....we were really crammed in and really high up!

Ally and Mimi looking down from where the palace was once located.  It stands 1300 feet above the Dead Sea which was in clear view from this location.

Masada style toilet....pretty big. There was a stream of water that flowed through slanted channels so there was the ability to flush waste.  Most toilets we saw were in one room and there were several using the same channel.  This one was private indicating the elaborate nature of this palace.

Tyler and Ally outside the visitor center at the foot of Masada.  If you look through the fog behind them you can see the Dead Sea.