You are staring in wonderment at Masada. The name means fortress. At the summit of the 1,424 foot mesa is the former fortified palaces of Herod the Great, the king of Judea from 37 to 4 BC. This was also the last stand of Jewish rebels against the Romans in 73 AD. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Israel. Masada is also revered among Jews as a symbol of their struggle against persecution. This must-see destination is protected and maintained by the Masada National Park.
