Massada – Fortress

Roman troops waged a long siege, hoping that the besieged would surrender, unable to withstand hunger and thirst. Silva’s camp numbered between 10,000 and 15,000 men, while the besieged at Masada numbered 967, including men, women, and children. The siege continued for several months, during which the Romans continued their efforts to build an embankment on the western slope.

As a result of the siege, one of the walls was damaged, the besieged built a new one, but when the Romans set fire to the eastern structures, the defenders, realizing that it was impossible to leave the fortress, everyone decided to voluntarily die so as not to be captured…

Akko. Templar Tunnel

The tunnel was a strategic underground passage that connected the castle with the port of Acre. The lower part of the tunnel was carved into the rock, while the upper part was built of hewn stones, and above it a semicircular vault. The tunnel leads from the Templar fortress in the west to the city’s port in the east, passing through the Pisa quarter. The total length of the tunnel is 350 meters.

The tunnel was discovered quite by accident in 1994; complaint of a woman who lived above the tunnel. At the western end of the tunnel, the central fortress of the Order was built. “The Templar fortress was the most fortified structure in the city…”

Gamla

Gamla was built by King Alexander Janai, a king from the Hasmonean dynasty.

A coin minted in the besieged city of Gamla An archaeologist who excavated Gamla in 1968 wrote “I did not understand what motivated the defenders until we found a small coin stamped in the besieged city, on it was written:” Deliverance to Holy Jerusalem…”. The defenders of the city believed that by stopping the enemy in the Golan, they would save the Holy City… The synagogue, shops, oil squeezing baths, narrow streets, paths and steps, everything remained unchanged from the day when Gamla was burned by the Romans. Jerusalem, and after three years of siege, Jerusalem also fell…

Mount of Beatitudes

A mountain rising 125 meters above the southwestern shore of the Sea of ​​Galilee. Here Jesus delivered the famous Sermon on the Mount. Each part of the sermon begins with the word “Blessed” – hence the name of the mountain – “Mountain of Beatitudes” Here Jesus chose 12 apostles. The place has been revered by Christians since Byzantine times, and then there was a church on the mountainside. The modern temple was built in 1937 on top of a mountain by the Italian architect Berlucci. A wonderful garden around the temple was laid out here, and today, this truly paradise, awakens in all visitors a sense of peace and bliss…

Makhtesh Ramon

Is there something in Israel that is not found anywhere else in the world? – There is! This is Makhtesh (crater, basin, hollow, foot of God) Ramon, the largest geological park in the world. 40 km long, 8 km wide and 500 m deep – this is Makhtesh Ramon.

Due to soil erosion lasting millions of years, unique geological layers can be observed here. The observation deck, towering over Makhtesh Ramon at an altitude of 892 meters above sea level, opens up stunning, unearthly views of the crater, from here it opens entirely. There are two versions of the origin of this amazing natural phenomenon…

Mount Tavor. Churches of the Transfiguration

“And after six days, Jesus took Peter, James and John, and raised them up on a high mountain alone, and was transfigured before them…” (Mark 9:2/9)
The Gospels do not mention the exact place, on which Jesus appeared before His disciples in a new capacity.In accordance with the Christian tradition, it was Mount Tabor (588 m.), located in Lower Galilee.What was the choice determined by? – a magnificent view that opens from the top of the mountain.You begin to understand that the name it is by no means accidental: “tabur” in Arabic is “navel.” There is no better observation point, a circular panorama with views of Hermon, Transjordan, Samaria…

Latrun. Trappist (silent) monastery

Halfway from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, in front of you on the right, on the horizon, a complex of buildings of original architecture appears. And on several road signs the name is written: Latrun. Surely you have heard in the tourist brochures that there is a monastery of some “silent” here. The monastery in Latrun (also called the Latrun Abbey of Our Lady of All Sorrows) was founded in 1890 by monks who arrived from the Abbey of Set-Fonds (French diocese of Moulins). In Latrun, this is evidenced by the unconditional quality of those products that are for sale in the store at the entrance to the monastery: olive oil, wines, brandy, liquor, sauces, honey…

Cana of Galilee. Churches of the Wedding, First Miracle and St. Nathanael

“On the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee and the Mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and His disciples were also called to marriage. And as there was not enough wine, the Mother of Jesus said to Him: they have no wine. Jesus tells her, what about me and you, Zheno? My hour has not yet come. His mother said to the servants: whatever He tells you, do it. There were also six stone water-carriers, standing according to the custom of the purification of the Jews, containing two or three measures. Jesus tells them to fill the vessels with water. And filled them to the top. And he said to them: now draw and bring to the steward of the feast. And they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine – and he did not know where this wine came from, only the servants who drew the water knew – then the steward calls the groom and says to him: every person first serves good wine, and when they get drunk, then worse; and you have saved good wine until now. Thus Jesus began miracles in Cana of Galilee and revealed His glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:1/11)…

Haifa. Ahmadiyya

In 1882, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad from Qadian (Punjab) received a revelation from Allah, who admonished him as follows: “Say that Allah commanded me to be the first Muslim again, a “Reformer”, called to teach and revive the faith.” Realizing the order of Allah, he created the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. The name of the community comes from the second name of the prophet Muhammad – Ahmad, and the term “Ahmadiyat” means the concept of “original or true Islam.” Pretty soon, the proclaimed teaching gained a significant number of adherents Mirza was declared a sectarian, and his teaching was placed outside of Islam. After Mirza’s death, his adherents moved to Syria and then to Haifa…

Bahai Temple

Surrounded by a Persian garden, this is a unique architectural complex, striking in its beauty and grandeur.

In Iran in the 40s of the 19th century, the aspirations of Shiite Muslims decided to embody Mirza Seyid Ali Muhammad (1819-1850), who proclaimed himself Bab (in translation – “door”, “gate”, “path” – leading to God). Persecuted by the Shah and the clergy, he was expelled from Persia and later executed in Tabriz. His companion and successor, Mirza Hussein Ali (1817-1892), led the community and took the title of Baha-Ullah (Shine of God), proclaiming himself the ninth world prophet after Krishna, Abraham, Zarathustra (Zoroaster), Moses, Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed and Baba…

Tomb of King David

According to 800zipcodes, Jerusalem is a holy city for the three major world religions. King David is recognized as a prophet in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. King David was buried in Jerusalem on Mount Zion.

A large stone sarcophagus is covered with a veil, on which crowns of Torah scrolls are set, symbolizing the 22 kingdoms of Israel, and the words from the I Book of Kings are embroidered: “David, king of Israel, lives and exists.”

The legend tells that the treasures of the First Temple were hidden behind the tomb of King David. The conquerors of Jerusalem (Persians, Crusaders, Mamluks) destroyed the tomb in search of treasures.