Herodium Israel

 Picture from Wikipedia

Slowly I am getting around to sharing some of the places we visited while we were in Israel in the spring of 2013.

Herod the Great had a palace within the fortress of the Herodium. The Herodium is south of Jerusalem. It’s an amazing and truly an impressive mound that has a palace, several towers, courtyards, Roman theater, and living quarters for Herod and others.

After the death of Herod and when the Great Revolt started the Jews built a synagogue and other ritual items that are still standing today.

It’s amazing to me that the hill on top had to be reshaped to build on it. Springs of nearby water sources had to be channeled in to the aqueduct system.

It’s also beautiful on top of the mound as you can look out and see a breathtaking view of Bethlehem, Jerusalem and the Judean Desert.

It is still an active archaeological site and we could see digs going on while we were visiting the Herodium.

 Models of parts of the Herodium.

 Catapults

 It just amazes me after 2,000 years that so much is still standing. I couldn't imagine any of our modern day construction enduring that long.

 How they built the tunnel system is incredible.

 Miqveh

The lizards intrigued me as I was thinking of a scripture that mentions lizards in the kings palace. However, for the life of me I can't locate the address off hand. So if you find it let me know or tell me that I am wrong and that there is no scriptures about lizards in the walls of the kings palace. 

Blessings and have a wonderful day.