Masada

Israel Images, Israel Pictures and Israel Photos of Masada. Masada is an archaeological site of ancient palaces that was build by Herod the Great fortified Masada between 37 and 31 BCE as a refuge for himself in the event of a revolt. Masada has fortifications in the South District of Israel on top of an isolated rock plateau on the eastern edge of the Judea Desert overlooking the Dead Sea. Masada became famous for its significance in the First Jewish-Roman War or The Great Jewish Revolt, when a siege of the fortress by troops of the Roman Empire led to a mass suicide of the site's Jewish defenders when defeat became imminent and symbolic of bravery of the Jewish people defending their God's faith. Today, Masada is a very popular tourist destination in Israel.All photos by Rafael Ben-Ari/Chameleons Eye