Masada: A Blog First

I've been editing the photos of Israel recently. Today it was time for the Masada images. There is so much to convey about Masada. This is the first time in my blogging history that I know words and photos will not be enough. What to say? I'll try.

World Heritage Sites are chosen for their special significance to the nations of the world. Masada's historic, cultural & archaelogical significance made it one of the earlier additions to the prestigous list from the United Nations. Masada is more; it is:

• A breathtaking location high above the Dead Sea on a plateau in the Judean desert
  


• An archaelogical treasure with ancient buildings from different eras (starting with two Herodian palaces built of the Roman Empire and a Byzantine Church built several hundred years later)

• A symbol of freedom & Jewish independence from slavery
  


• The last refuge for a small group of Jews who fled Jerusalem after the Roman Empire took the city and destroyed the Second Temple
  


• The site of tragic end to the Roman siege in the spring of 73 AD in which the Jews choose mass suicide over Roman rule and slavery
  


• Personally, Masada became the first travel destination of my dreams, after my father's postcard from Masada arrived many, many years ago. At the time, I didn't know it would be the first step in my journey to TPI - Janus Travel as well as one of the last postcards from my well-travelled, scientist father.