Masada National Park – Visitors Guide with Map and Photos

Masada National Park

Masada National Park tells the extraordinary story of Masada, an ancient fortress in the Judean desert near the Dead Sea.

Note: the meaning of the word Masada is a fortress (literal translation from Hebrew). And due to the selected location, it was a stronghold.

Map

Masada National Park is near the Dead Sea between Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek.

Note: There are two entrances. You must choose the entrance in advance and ensure that the navigation app is set correctly.

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And here is the map from the brochure you receive at the entrance.

Map of Masada National Park
Map of Masada National Park

Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.

Remember that this map can be confusing since the north is pointing down.

As you can see from the map, this national park has two entrances. Moreover, there is no close road that connects them. If you want to drive from one entrance to another, it is an approximately seventy km road that takes around an hour. Thus you have to choose the entrance in advance and ensure that the navigation app is set correctly.

And here is the map that shows what you can find on the top of the plateau.

Map of Plateau at Masada National Park
Map of Plateau at Masada National Park

Note: you can click on the map to enlarge it.

And here is a closeup of the site plan.

Map of Plateau at Masada National Park
Map of Plateau at Masada National Park

And now, let’s go over the entrances and understand what facilities each has. At this point, I will mention that most visitors choose the eastern entrance.

Western Entrance

The Western entrance (on the right side of the map) can be reached via road #3199 from Arad.

There is a free parking lot at this entrance. There are also restrooms. And if you are going for the Night Show (also called the sound and light show), you should use this entrance.

If you are going to climb Masada (do not plan to use the cable car) and are worried about the difficulty of hiking, then you should take this entrance. The western entrance is on higher grounds than the eastern one, and the climb is much easier.

The western entrance is about 20 meters below sea level. The top of the plateau is around 40 meters above sea level. That means the whole climb is 60 meters up. Take the Siege ramp path to reach the Western gate and the Masada. Completing this path takes about fifteen minutes at a moderate pace.

Siege ramp path and western entrance to Masada
Siege ramp path and the western entrance to Masada

Also, at the Western Entrance, you can find the siege tower from the Masada 1981 mini-series. However, it has only the base level (in the mini-series, it had three stories).

Siege tower
Siege tower

Campsite Masada West

Near the western entrance, you can find the campsite. It offers lighting, drinking fountains, a barbeque area, bonfire areas, fixed and movable tables, electrical outlets, and of course, restrooms and showers. You can find additional details here.

If you are considering a sunrise hike or a night show, then the closeness of the campsite makes it comfortable.

Eastern Entrance

The eastern entrance is the main one. It is closer to the Dead Sea and can be reached using road #90.

The Israeli Nature and Parks Authority built a whole complex at this entrance. And in this complex, you can find the museum, a movie theater screening a short movie about Masada, see different exhibits, eat at a restaurant, visit a souvenir shop, and restrooms. To be clear, besides the toilets, there is nothing at the western entrance.

And because this complex enriches your visit, most people choose it. But it has a downside. As I mentioned above, the eastern entrance is located below the western. So the east entrance is situated at about 270 meters below sea level. And since the top of the plateau is around 40 meters above sea level, it means hiking 310 meters uphill. And the shortest and the most common trail is the snake path.

But you do not have to hike uphill. There is a cable car, and you can ride it at an extra cost. See the following two sections for details about the cable car and the snake path.

Directions

If you are reaching by car, enter “Masada National Park” into Waze or Google Maps, which will take you to one of the free parking lots. But keep in mind there are two entrances to this national park. So make sure you are arriving in the required one.

And if you are using public transport, you can take bus #486 from Jerusalem to Neve Zohar and exit at the Masada bus stop. Here is the updated link to Moovit. Enter your starting point, and you will get the updated directions.

Weather

Masada National Park is located in the desert. Thus it is boiling in this area. Moreover, after the rain, there is a danger of floods. Hence, do not visit the Dead Sea area several days after the last rain.

When to Visit Masada?

Due to the weather, the best season for a visit is Spring or Autumn (and not after rain). Moreover, visit early in the morning as it will get hot by noon. Also, if you plan to hike, you have to come early. Furthermore, keep in mind the following restrictions:

On very hot days, the Snake Path ascent closes at 09:00, and the descent closes at 10:00. When heat is extreme, the Snake Path ascent closes at 08:00, and the descent closes at 09:00. The descent via the Roman Ramp is open as usual.

Note: unless stated otherwise, all quotes were taken from the official site.

And always take hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water.

Opening Hours

Sunday – Thursday and Saturday: 8:00 – 17:00 (16:00 in winter).
Friday: 8:00 – 16:00 (15:00 in winter).
On holidays eves usually 8:00 – 13:00.

Note: Since the pandemic, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority has started limiting the number of people in each park. Thus, reservations are recommended through the official site (you can find the link below).

The Snake Path opens for ascent every day one hour before Sunrise and closes for the descent one hour before closing time.

The Roman Ramp Path opens for ascent every day half hour before Sunrise and closes for descent 15 minutes before closing time.

Entrance Fee

The entrance to Masada National Park costs 31 NIS per adult, 17 NIS per child, and 26 NIS per student. And free for National Parks annual subscribers.

Beyond the entrance fee, you might decide to visit the museum. And it will cost an extra 20 NIS per person.

Moreover, you must pay extra if you want to take the cable car. The one-way cable car costs 28 NIS per adult and 14 NIS per child. And a round trip on the cable car costs 46 NIS per adult and 28 NIS per child.

And we will go over the prices of the night show in the next section.

If you visit several National Parks, then consider purchasing a combo ticket. You can find additional info at National Parks And Nature Reserves.

Note: opening hours and ticket prices were updated in May 2022. In any case, recheck the official site before visiting.

Night Show – Masada from Dusk to Dawn

The new night show is projected on the mountain’s western slope, between the ramp and the northern palace. It features video mapping technology in one of the largest such shows ever created in Israel and special lighting effects. The moving soundtrack was composed especially by Shlomo Gronich, with many soloists, including Harel Sakat and Liraz Charhi, a stirring orchestra and a choir – all breathing new life into the saga of Masada and its heroes.

Source: official website

Night Show – Basic Information

The show takes place on Tuesday and Thursday after sunset, at 19:30 during the winter and 20:30 or 21:00 in the summertime.

The entrance fee is 50 NIS per adult and 40 NIS per child (ages 5-18).

Discounts are available for groups, Matmon Club members and overnight guests at the Masada West Campground.

The length of the show is 45 minutes, and it is recommended for children over ten years old.

Enter “Masada West Campsite” to Waze to get to the show. And it will take you through Ara.

Cable car

Since there are many questions regarding the cable car, I decided to add a dedicated section.

If you choose the eastern entrance, there are two common ways to get to the top. Either use the snake path or take the cable car. The cable car is at an extra cost (see the entrance fee section), significantly decreasing the time it takes to get from the entrance to the top of the plateau.

The cable car and the snake path
The cable car and the snake path

The ride takes 3 – 4 minutes, and the cable car is very smooth.

The cable car – from the eastern entrance, there is a cable car up to the Snake Path Gate at the top of the mountain. The modern cable car replaces the old cable car of the 1970s and fits in better and less intrusively with the surroundings. The old cable car was installed in 1971, carrying a limited number of visitors to the lowest point on the hilltop, from which they continued their ascent to the top by stairs. In 1998 the cable car system was replaced to meet the requirements of the increasing number of visitors to the site. The lower cable car station was built at the foot of the mountain, becoming part of the visitor center complex. The stairs at the upper station were removed, and entry to the fortress today is through a suspended bridge, making access possible also for people with disabilities.

And here is a picture I took when we almost reached the top.

The cable car and the visitor's center
The cable car and the visitor’s center

Masada Snake Path

As I mentioned above, the snake path is a common way of reaching Masada from the eastern entrance (the other common method is the cable car).

Masada snake path is about two km long, climbing approximately 310 meters uphill. And it is a combination of going uphill and climbing some stairs.

Snake Path
Snake Path

Note: You can see small dots at the bottom of the photo above. These are people climbing.

As you can see, it is easy to navigate, and you do not need any maps or hiking experience. But it would be best if you had comfortable shoes and plenty of water (at least two liters per person).

The snake path takes about an hour. If you are not in shape, then it may take more. However, it depends not only on your fitness level but also on the weather. Moreover, on sweltering days, they will close the Snake Path ascent. See the weather section above.

And I want to end this section with a question that is often ignored.

Is it worth taking the Snake Path?

In my opinion (if purchasing a cable car ticket is not an issue), the answer is no.

The pros are that taking the snake path will save you money, and you will feel self-fulfillment once you complete it. But the latter can be said about completing any challenging track.

The cons are the extra time that you spend. Moreover, there are no points of interest on the way, and the views from the top of the Masada plateau are better anyway. Or, shortly put, the hike may be challenging but boring. Moreover, by the time you reach the top, you might be tired, so that you will skip parts of Masada.

Thus, if money (for the cable car) is not an issue, I suggest purchasing tickets for the cable car (or using the western entrance). And you can use the time you save for hiking at a place with points of interest on the way, like Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

Masada in the Bible

Masada is not mentioned in the Bible by its name. But if we remember that Masada means fortress or stronghold, it may be referred under that name.

it is possible that this was David’s place of refuge during his flight from Saul and where he wrote some of his psalms. If so, David was probably referring to Masada as the “stronghold” (1 Samuel 22:4-5, 23:14, 24:22), using it to depict God as his fortress and rock of refuge (Psalm 18:2, 31, 71:3, 144:2).

Source: land-of-the-bible.com

Masada Sunrise Tours

As you saw above, the Snake Path and the Roman Ramp Path open for ascent every day before sunrise. And that is because many people choose to meet the sunrise at Masada.

Moreover, many tour firms offer Masada Sunrise tours beyond regular journeys. And a sunrise tour can be beneficial as you get to see many things in one day (since you start early). So keep this option in mind.

History

Here is the historical extract from the official brochure.

Sources

The story of Masada was recorded by Josephus Flavius, who was the commander of the Galilee during the Great Revolt and later surrendered to the Romans at Yodfat. At the time of Masada’s conquest, he was in Rome, where he devoted himself to chronicling the Revolt. Despite the debate surrounding the accuracy of his accounts, its main features seem to have been born out by excavation.

The Hasmonean Period

According to Josephus, the first fortress at Masada was built by “Jonathan the High Priest” – apparently, the Hasmonean King Alexander Janaeus (103-76 BCE). Their coins were discovered in excavations of the site.

Some scholars tend to identify Jonathan with the brother of Judah the Maccabee, who became a high priest in 152 BCE. So far, no architectural remains have been discovered at Masada that can be dated with certainty to the Hasmonean period.

The Herodian Period

Herod, who ruled from 37 BCE to 4 BCE, was well aware of the strategic advantages of Masada. He, therefore, chose the site as a refuge against his enemies and as a winter palace. During his reign, luxurious palaces were built here in addition to well-stocked storerooms, cisterns, and a casemate wall. After the death of Herod in 4 BCE and the annexation of Judea to the Roman Empire in 6 CE, the Romans stationed a garrison at Masada.

The Great Revolt

Josephus relates that one of the first events of the Great Revolt of the Jews against the Romans, which broke out in 66 CE, was the conquest of Masada by the Sicarii, a group that got its name from a curved dagger, the sica, which they carried. The Sicarii were headed by Menahem, son of Judah the Galilean, who was murdered in Jerusalem in 66 CE. After the murder, Eleazar Ben Yair fled from Jerusalem to Masada and became commander of the rebel community on the mountain. It was a varied group, which apparently included Essenes and Samaritans. The last of the rebels fled to Masada after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE and joined those already at the fortress under the command of Eleazar Ben Yair.

The rebels, who lived in rooms in the casemate wall and some of Herod’s palaces, constructed a synagogue and mikvehs (Jewish ritual baths). They left behind numerous material vestiges attesting to their community life.

The Siege

According to Josephus, Masada was the last rebel stronghold in Judea. In 73 or 74 CE, the Roman Tenth Legion Fretensis, led by Flavius Silva, laid siege to the mountain. The legion, consisting of 8,000 troops among which were auxiliary forces, built eight camps around the base, a siege wall, and a ramp made of earth and wooden supports on a natural slope to the west. Captive Jews brought water to the troops, apparently from En Gedi, as well as food.

After a siege that lasted a few months, the Romans brought a tower with a battering ram up the ramp with which they began to batter the wall. The rebels constructed an inner support wall out of wood and earth, which the Romans then set ablaze. Josephus described it when the hope of the rebels dwindled, Eleazar Ben Yair gave two speeches in which he convinced the leaders of the 960 members of the community that it would be better to take their own lives and the lives of their families than to live in shame and humiliation as Roman slaves. In Josephus’ own words:

“Then, having chosen by lot ten of their number to dispatch the rest, they laid themselves down each beside his prostrate wife and children, and, flinging their arms around them, offered their throats in readiness for the executants of the melancholy office. These, having unswervingly slaughtered all, ordained the same rule of the lot for one another, that he on whom it fell should slay first the nine and then himself last of all;… They had died in the belief that they had left not a soul of them alive to fall into Roman hands; The Romans advanced to the assault… seeing none of the enemies but on all sides an awful solitude, and flames within and silence, they were at a loss to conjecture what had happened here encountering the mass of slain, instead of exulting as over enemies, they admired the nobility of their resolve and the contempt of death display by so many in carrying it, unwavering, into execution.”

(Josephus Flavius, The Wars of the Jews, VII, 395-406):

According to Josephus, two women and five children who had been hiding in the cisterns on the mountaintop told the Romans what had happened that night, on the 15th of Nissan, the first day of Passover.

The fall of Masada was the final act in the Roman conquest of Judea. A Roman auxiliary unit remained at the site until the beginning of the second century CE.

The Byzantine Period

After the Romans left Masada, the fortress remained uninhabited for a few centuries. During the fifth century CE, in the Byzantine period, a monastery of the type known as a laura, inhabited by hermits, was founded. Some scholars identify the Masada monastery with a site called Marda, mentioned by the Church fathers. With the rise of Islam in the seventh century, the monastery apparently ceased to exist.

The History of Masada Research

After the Byzantine period, Masada sank into oblivion until the nineteenth century. The first scholars to identify Masada with the plateau known in Arabic as es-Sebbeh were Smith and Robinson in 1838, and the first to climb it were Wolcott and Tipping in 1842. Warren climbed Masada in 1867, Conder described and mapped it in 1875, Sandel discovered the water system in 1905, and Schulten studied mainly the Roman siege system in 1932.

From the 1920s and especially during the 1940s, Masada became a lodestone for pioneering Zionist youth groups. The Hebrew translation in 1923 of The Wars of the Jews by Josephus, as well as the poem “Masada,” written by Lamdan, published in 1927, brought Masada closer to the hearts of young people in the country’s Jewish community. Shmarya Gutmann, who led numerous trips to the mountain, was particularly instrumental in transforming Masada into a symbol. Together with Micha Livneh and Ze’ev Meshel, Gutmann rediscovered the Northern Palace and the Snake Path in 1953. Survey excavations were carried out in 1955–1956, mainly in the northern part of the plateau and the water system. This led to the major excavations carried out by The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, headed by Yigael Yadin from 1963 to 1965. These excavations uncovered most of Masada’s structures, along with thousands of well-preserved artifacts that present a rare picture of the material culture at the end of the Second Temple period.

During the excavations, many buildings were conserved and reconstructed, and after the preparation of the site for visitors, Masada National Park was opened in 1966. The construction of the first cable car in 1971 increased the stream of visitors.

After a short excavation in 1989 conducted by Ehud Netzer, excavations were renewed by the Hebrew University in 1995 in the framework of a large-scale development project funded by the Tourism Ministry through the Israel Government Tourist Corporation. Several excavation seasons were carried out led by Ehud Netzer and Guy Stiebel on the plateau, in addition to a season directed by Gideon Foerster at Roman Camp F and the siege ramp.

Conservation and restoration activities were carried out by Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Visitors Center

And now, after covering all basics, let’s visit Masada. And we will start with the Visitors Center at the eastern entrance.

The Visitors Center
The Visitors Center

After purchasing the tickets, we watched a short movie about Masada.

The Movie
The Movie

Then we checked the exhibits in this building. For example, here is a geographical and historical context.

The Visitors Center
The Visitors Center

There is also a lot of painting. Here is one that shows Roman camps surrounding Masada.

The Visitors Center
The Visitors Center

Masada Museum

Since we purchased tickets to the museum, we headed there.

Masada Museum – the Yigal Yadin Masada Museum has been open since 2007. A visit to the museum can also include a theatrical experience and radio narrative, giving visitors the background and setting the scene before visiting the site itself.

Masada Museum
Masada Museum

Photography inside the museum is prohibited. Thus I do not have any photos to show. But I can tell you what to expect.

At the entrance, each of us got an audio guide. And there are audio guides in a variety of languages. Then we started touring the rooms of the museum. Each room is either dedicated to a period or an event. And along with the exhibits, the audio guide tells their story.

The museum is not big and visiting all exhibits takes about half an hour.

When we finished at the museum, we headed to the cable car.

Snake Path Gate

Point of interest #1 is the snake path gate.

Snake Path - Masada
Snake Path – Masada

You can see this gate at the top right corner of the photo above.

If you follow the numbers, the route on the top of the plateau is roughly circular, in an anti-clockwise direction (see the site plan section above for additional information).

Remains of a quarry in Masada National Park
Remains of a quarry in Masada National Park

In this guide, we will not go over all points of interest. And instead, we will see the most significant ones.

The Commandant’s Residence

The Commandant’s office (point of interest #3) and The Commandant’s Headquarters (point of interest #4) are situated near the snake path gate.

The Commandant's Residence
The Commandant’s Residence

The commandant’s office – the commandant’s office, by the Snake Path Gate, is built as a series of rooms decorated with frescoes (wall paintings made on damp plaster). Most of the decorations are geometric patterns and imitation marble, while others have floral designs.

All signs are in Hebrew and English

The Commandant’s Headquarters has a strategic location. On one side, it is close to the entrance. It is useful both for trade control and defense. And on the other side, it is close to essential buildings inside Masada, like the north palace and the storeroom complex.

Storeroom Complex

To survive at a remote site in the desert, you must store many goods (point of interest #5 on the map).

“But the stores laid up within would have excited still more amazement. For here had been stored a mass of corn, amply sufficient to last for years, an abundance of wine and oil, besides every variety of pulse and piles of dates.”

Josephus Flavius

To this day the secret of survival in an emergency in this isolated and remote desert location remains an intriguing question. One of the answers is the huge complex of storerooms, built during the construction Masada. Here was stored the food necessary for existence on the mountain in the days of Herod and the Roman siege. Of all the desert fortresses, Masada was the best prepared for a lengthy siege of a large number of inhabitants. That is clear from the many storerooms on the mountain, organized according to their contents, with liquids and foods stored separately. According to Josephus Flavius, the storerooms included a special wing for the storage of large quantities of weapons and the raw materials for their manufacture. The weapons were taken to Jerusalem during the Revolt.

Source: sign

One of the storage rooms in the Storeroom Complex
One of the storage rooms in the Storeroom Complex

The Northern Palace

Whenever you see a photo of Masada, it is most likely of the Northern Palace (point of interest #6 on the map). And it is not by chance. Many call the northern palace one of the most daring structures built by King Herod and an architectural pearl.

Model of The Northern Palace in Masada
Model of The Northern Palace in Masada

The Northern Palace was daringly constructed on the hilltop, over the chasm. The palace is built on three rock terraces, with a total height difference of some 30 m, and required strong retaining walls.

The palace shows Hellenistic and Roman architectural influence. On the upper terrace were Herod’s private rooms, a residential wing with four rooms and a central hall. The rooms were paved with geometric mosaic designs, and frescoes were painted on the walls. The mosaic floor of the south-western room has been preserved, patterned with black and white hexagons. This is a common design in Rome and its environs, and its existence here may be evidence of the origins of the artists who created it.

The Northern Palace has three levels. You start at the top one. And you can get to the bottom one by the stairs.

View down from The Northern Palace
View down from The Northern Palace

Outside is a semicircular patio, formerly surrounded by columns, which looks out over the He’ etekim Cliff in the Judean Desert, the Dead Sea, and the Roman siege array. In the center of the middle terrace was a circular hall surrounded by columns, of which only the foundations remain. This was the reception and banqueting hall.

The palace also had a small bathhouse, in which were found the skeletal remains of what is presumed to have been three of the rebels, as well as a woman’s braided hair, remarkably well preserved.

Lower Terrace of the Northern Palace

So we will skip several points of interest (return to them back late) and visit the lower terrace of The Northern Palace.

The lower terrace also held a hall, surrounded by colonnades. The exterior walls of the hall were decorated with stucco designs, and the interior walls – with frescoes (wall paintings painted on damp plaster) depicting colored imitation marble panels and geometric designs.

Lower Terrace of the Northern Palace
Lower Terrace of the Northern Palace

And the Northern Palace offers stunning views, so this is a must-place for a selfie 😉

Lower Terrace of the Northern Palace
Lower Terrace of the Northern Palace

And here is a broad view of the west. You can see the western entrance with the Roman ramp trail at the left and the remains of a Roman camp to the right.

View from the Lower Terrace
View from the Lower Terrace

And now, let’s return to the top level of the large bathhouse.

The Large Bathhouse

The Large Bathhouse (point of interest #7 on the map) is a Roman-style bathhouse.

At the entrance is a courtyard surrounded by columns, intended for gymnastic exercise. The dressing room (apodyterium) is decorated with frescoes and special stone tiles.

The bathhouse is built in Roman style, and all its rooms are well preserved.

During the Revolt, an immersion pool was built here. In the tepid room (tepidarium), the frescoes have been wonderfully well preserved. An opening in the wall of this room leads to the stepped pool of the cold room (frigidarium), in which the floor rests on small columns. Hot air flowed through ceramic pipes incorporated in the walls, heating the room.

The Large Bathhouse at Masada
The Large Bathhouse at Masada

The “Lots”

The discovery location of the “Lots” is marked as the point of interest #8. At this place, several hundred inscribed shards were found. And Yigael Yadin connected them with Josephus Flavius’ story of the lots drawing on the last night of the Revolt.

The discovery location of the "Lots"
The discovery location of the “Lots”

The Lots room – many inscribed pottery shards (ostraca) were found in this room, mainly bearing people’s names, including ‘Ben Yair’, the name of the leader of the Sicarii, the dominant group among the Masada rebels. These could perhaps have been the lots cast by the rebels on the night they decided to put an end to their lives, or they may have had to do with the administration of life in the rebel community.

You might ask why they drew lots to kill each other. And the reason why this way was chosen is that suicide is against Jewish belief.

Wildlife

While at the Lots room, I got a good shot of Tristram’s Starling. Thus, let’s talk about wildlife for a minute.

Tristram's Starling at Masada
Tristram’s Starling at Masada

Tristram’s Starling is a vocal bird whose call resembles a whistle, coal-black with orange stripes on its wings, which are mainly noticeable in flight. The main difference between males and females is the color of their heads – the females have grey plumage, and the males, black. Tristram’s starlings living around Masada are not afraid to come close to humans and can be found among the visitors in male-female pairs and groups.

Another common bird is the Blackstart, which is about the size of a sparrow. It can be identified by its grey body and black tail, which it frequently fans out. The fan-tailed raven can be seen hovering in the skies over Masada, carrying out aerial acrobatics for its pleasure, as can the Brown-necked raven.

In the foothills of Masada, you may well meet ibexes, which have also become accustomed to the presence of people, and wander around as if they own the place.

The Tower

The tower (point of interest #25 on the map) is one of the highest points at Masada. And from there, you can overview parts of the site. Here are several photos from there.

Water At Masada

You can not survive in the desert without water. Plus, since there is no constant water flow, you must store it. Thus, several cistern complexes were built.

A cistern at Masada National Park
A cistern at Masada National Park

“At each spot used for habitation, both on the summit and about the palace, as also before the wall, he had cut out in the rock numerous large tanks, as reservoirs for water, thus procuring a supply as ample as where springs are available.”

Josephus Flavius

Beyond cisterns, there is a unique water collection system. There is a model on-site that demonstrates how it works.

Model of water collection system At Masada
Model of water collection system At Masada

As you can see, when rainwater flowed, a series of damns and aqueducts directed it to cisterns. Then convoys of animals brought the water to the top of the plateau via the water gate (point of interest #9 on the site plan) and the snake path. Here is the full explanation according to a sign on site:

The solution to the water problem in the desert fortress is undoubtedly one of the wonders of Masada. To survive on the mountain, Herod quarried numerous cisterns on the summit, and the northwestern slope.

Rainwater that flowed in the floods in the nearby streams was stored here. The water was collected by a system of dams and two aqueducts, parts of which can be seen to this day. Two rows of cisterns were dug in the slope, eight in the upper row and four in the lower, which contained 40,000 cubic meters of water. From the cisterns, two paths led up to the mountain, one from the upper row to the Water Gate in the northwest of the mountain and the other from the lower row to the Snake Path Gate in the east.

Convoys of animals brought the water up to Masada along these paths. When they reached the summit, the water was poured into a system of channels leading into the cisterns throughout the mountain. But a lover of life like Herod would not be content merely with drinking water. The water planning of Masada also included attention to hygiene and recreation, as we can see from the bathhouses and the swimming pool located in the southern part of the mountain.

The Synagogue

On the map, point of interest #12 is the Synagogue.

The Synagogue at Masada
The Synagogue at Masada

The synagogue – a building used in Herod’s time as a stable was turned into a synagogue by the rebels. Two pits dug into the floor of the room in which fragments of biblical scrolls were found to have served as a genizah, a storage archive for religious texts. Benches were built along the walls. This is one of the few ancient synagogues that were in use at the end of Second Temple times. To the south of the synagogue, in the “casement of the scrolls”, a collection of articles from the time of the Revolt was found, including sections of scrolls and papyrus.

Columbarium Tower

A columbarium (point of interest #13 on the map) is an installation to raise doves. The doves were used for food, and their droppings as fertilizers. Columbariums were widespread in the Judean lowlands. And today, you can see them at Horvat Midras and Beit Guvrin National Park (you can also find additional information about columbariums at that post).

Columbarium Tower at Masada
Columbarium Tower at Masada

Siege of Masada

Near the columbarium, you will find the breaching point (point of interest #14 on the site plan). Here the siege of Masada ended. Thus let’s elaborate on this topic.

The Last Rebel Stronghold

According to Josephus, Masada was the last rebel stronghold in Judea. In 73 or 74 CE, the Roman Tenth Legion Fretensis, led by Flavius Silva, laid siege to the mountain. The legion, consisting of 8,000 troops among which were auxiliary forces, built eight camps around the base, a siege wall, and a ramp made of earth and wooden supports on a natural slope to the west. Captive Jews brought water to the troops, apparently from En Gedi, as well as food.

Note: you can find the full description in the history section.

The Ramp

The ramp – to the west of Masada is a ridge that is just 60 m lower than the top of the mountain. In the year 73 CE, when the Romans besieged the Zealots who had made their stronghold on the mountain, they took advantage of a natural rock-fall at this site and built an earthen ramp over it, supported by wooden beams.

Siege ramp path and western entrance to Masada
Siege ramp path and the western entrance to Masada

Siege Tower

After several months, the Romans finished building the ramp.

At the top of the ramp rose the siege tower, and in it was the battering ram with which the Romans assaulted the casemate wall. However, the rebels had built a wall of earth and wood, against which the battering ram was ineffective:

“Observing this, Silva, thinking it easier to destroy this wall by fire, ordered his soldiers to hurl at it showers of burning torches… At the first outbreak of the fire, a north wind which blew in the faces of the Romans caused them alarm for diverting the flame from above, it drove it against them… Then suddenly, the wind veering, as if by divine providence, to the south and blowing with full force in the opposite direction, wafted and flung the flames against the wall, which now through and through was all ablaze.”

Josephus Flavius

Sketch of the Siege Tower
Sketch of the Siege Tower

The Last Night

When night fell, and it was clear that the situation was hopeless and that the Romans would break-in at dawn, Eleazar Ben Yair assembled his followers and called for mass suicide:

“The Romans, expecting further opposition… were at a loss to conjecture what had happened… Here encountering the mass of the slain, instead of exulting as over enemies, they admired the nobility of their resolve and the contempt of death displayed by so many in carrying it, unwavering, into execution.”

Josephus Flavius

Who survived the siege of Masada?

According to Josephus, two women and five children who had been hiding in the cisterns on the mountaintop told the Romans what had happened that night, on the 15th of Nissan, the first day of Passover.

Also, according to Josephus and based on the testimony of the survivors, Eleazar Ben Yair told the remaining rebels to destroy everything in Masada except the food supplies. By doing so, he wanted to show the Romans that they chose death over slavery.

The Western Palace

And now, let’s enter the most significant building in Masada, the Western Palace (point of interest #17 on the map).

The Western Palace
The Western Palace

The Western Palace – this palace is the largest building on Masada, 3700 m² in size, built by Herod. The entrance lobby has inbuilt benches, and the walls are decorated with stucco designs. On the first story is a hall. Because of four depressions in the floor in which the legs of the King’s throne could have been set, it has been assumed that this was the “Throne Room”. A flight of stairs leads to the second story, which looks out over the bathing complex below, with its magnificent mosaic floor.

There are additional points of interest at Masada, but as I mentioned, we will visit only the main ones.

How much time a visit to Masada takes?

A typical visit to Masada takes two to three hours. And out of this time, about one hour is spent climbing the snake path. Thus I would say that two hours is probably the minimum suggested time.

Our latest visit took almost four hours. We used the cable car to go up and down (so we did not spend time on the snake path). And despite that, we did not cover everything. Therefore, you can easily spend five or more hours at Masada.

The Significance of Masada

First of all, Masada is a historical site. In 1968, Masada was declared as a national park on ​​3,400 hectares, and in 2001, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site.

“Masada shall not fall again”

But beyond that, Masada became a symbol. About a century ago, the story of Masada was embraced by the Zionist movement. It represented the myth of ambition for freedom, national renewal, and sovereignty.

In the 1930s, Masada became a pilgrimage site for travelers and youth movements. And after Israel’s establishment, the IDF chief of staff, Moshe Dayan, initiated IDF armored corps recruiters taking their military oath at the top of Masada (after completing basic training).

The ceremony ended with the declaration: “Masada shall not fall again.” The soldiers climbed the Snake Path at night and were sworn in with torches lighting the background. These ceremonies are now also held at various other locations, including the Armoured Corps Memorial at Latrun, the Western Wall and Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, Akko prison, and training bases.

Source: Wikipedia

Common Questions

What happened at Masada?

Masada was the last Jewish rebel stronghold in Judea during Jewish – Roman war. And when the Jewish rebels called the Sicarii understood they were about to lose, they preferred to die as free men instead of living as slaves. Thus they performed mass suicide.

What is Masada known for?

Masada is known for the siege is Masada. During which, the rebels preferred to die as free men instead of living as slaves. Therefore they performed mass suicide.

What is the significance of Masada?

About a century ago, the story of Masada was embraced by the Zionist movement. It represented the myth of ambition for freedom, national renewal, and sovereignty. See The Significance of Masada section in this guide.

How many died at Masada?

According to Josephus, 960 Jewish Zealots died at Masada.

How long does it take to climb Masada?

If you are taking the western entrance, completing the siege ramp takes fifteen minutes. And if you take the eastern entrance, you will likely take the snake path, which takes about an hour to complete.

How difficult is it to climb Masada?

Climbing from the western entrance is relatively easy. And the snake path at the eastern entrance is more strenuous. But if you are in good shape, it should not be a problem. Moreover, remember that you will be hiking in the desert. Thus, weather plays a significant role. See the relevant sections above for additional details.

What does Masada mean in English?

Masada means fortress or stronghold.

Is Masada worth visiting?

Masada is for sure worth a visit. It is one of the most popular national parks in Israel. And it offers not only stunning views and archeological remains but also a great story.

Is it safe to drive from Jerusalem to Masada?

Yes. I drove there many times and never had any problems.

How long do you need at Masada?

A typical visit to Masada takes two to three hours. And if you take the snake path, the climbing will take one hour. Thus I would say that two hours is probably the minimum suggested time. And a more in-depth visit will take four to five hours.

Summary

Masada National Park is one of the most significant sites in Israel. I included it in my list of best National Parks And Nature Reserves. And if you are visiting Jerusalem or the Dead Sea, consider making a detour to Masada.

Have you ever been to Masada National Park? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.

That’s all for today, and I’ll see you in future travels!

Stay Tuned!

   

Additional Resources

Here are several resources that I created to help travelers: And if you have any questions then check out Useful Information For Tourists To Israel.  
Did not find what you were looking for? Leave a comment below, and I will do my best to answer your questions.

Lev Tsimbler

Lev from israel-in-photos.com. You can contact me at hi@israel-in-photos.com

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