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The Flour Caves |
Masada Fortress |
Ein Gedi
Waterfall |
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 One
of Israel's top tourist attractions is the mountaintop
fortress of Masada. established by King Herod
as his winter palace in 35 BC, Masada was heroically
defended by a small group of Jews who eventually chose
to commit mass suicide rather than surrender to The
Roman army. One wonders whether such an act today
would be labeled as heroism or as an acct of madness
carried out by a fanatic cult. Masada offers
breathtaking views over The Dead Sea and Judean
desert. A cable car runs up to the fortress (for many,
more interesting than the archeological site itself!)
, or the more adventurous can walk up The Snake Path.
Be sure to take plenty of water, a hat, and
comfortable shoes. Masada lies 18km North of Dead Sea
Hotels' area. A natural amphitheatre on the West side
of the mountain is the setting for a spectacular Sound
and Light Show. Catching Masada at sunrise is a worthy
goal! |
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A
short distance from the hotels on The Dead Sea,
you can visit "Flour Cave", a
30 meter underground passage created by water
erosion of the soft limestone located West of
Mount Sodom. |
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Ein Gedi
Nature Trails- highly recommended |
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There
are endless trails in The Dead Sea area, yet most people choose
the Nahal David trail. It begins by the Dead Sea, and moves into
the mountains, winding up into the hills passing several beautiful
water falls and pools. Swimming is permitted in all these pools.
The more adventurous can bring sandals along and follow the trail
in the water. The scenery is wonderful, and the experience
unforgettable. The Nahal Arugot trail is for the fitter tourists,
and some trails can take up to 6 hours. Take plenty of water, and
always wear a hat. There is a small fee to enter ( about 4
dollars), but it is worth every cent. |
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The Dead
Sea Scrolls |
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A
fascinating archeological find was discovered in The Caves
Of Qumran in 1947. A Bedouin shepherd stumbled upon what
turned out to be the oldest biblical documents ever found. The
Dead Sea Scrolls trace the history and daily lives of the
mystical Essenes, a Jewish sect that fled Jerusalem 2000
years ago. The scrolls, initially discovered in clay
jars now have a resting place at The Israel Museum in
Jerusalem. Excavations at the site offer an insight into the
life of this ancient culture.
Dead
Sea Scrolls Links:
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