Herodium

#11 among destinations in Israel

Memorial, Top attraction

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Herodium, Israel stands as a poignant memorial of ancient engineering prowess and the ambition of King Herod the Great. Located in the Judean Desert, this historical site is a fortified palace and the final resting place of its notorious namesake. Herod, who ruled Judea under the auspices of the Roman Empire from 37 to 4 BCE, constructed this architectural wonder as a testament to his reign and grandeur.

The complex, perched atop an artificial mountain, offers a panoramic view of the surrounding desert landscape. Herodium's design is unique due to its combination of a palatial fortress and a memorial mausoleum. The site features a lower complex, which includes the remains of a royal palace, a large pool, bathhouses, and lush gardens, all of which are indicative of the opulent lifestyle of Herod.

The upper part of Herodium showcases the remains of the fortress with its thick walls, towers, and an intricate system of cisterns that collected water in this arid region. The most significant discovery at Herodium is the grand mausoleum believed to be the tomb of King Herod. This finding was unveiled in 2007 by archaeologist Ehud Netzer, after a search that lasted more than three decades.

Local name: הרודיון Built: 15 B.C.E.Abandoned: 71 A.D.Height: 2487 ftCoordinates: 31°39'57"N, 35°14'30"E

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West BankIsrael

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Herodium – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Church of the Nativity, Rachel's Tomb, Church of Saint Catherine, Baituna al-Talhami Museum.

3.3 miNW
Storied, ancient 4th-century church
Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem
86 min walk • The Church of the Nativity is a revered historical and religious landmark situated in the heart of Bethlehem, Israel. This ancient church is traditionally recognized as the birthplace of Jesus Christ, making it a focal point for Christian pilgrims from around the globe.
4.3 miNW
Synagogue
Rachel's Tomb, Bethlehem
111 min walk • Nestled in the ancient city of Bethlehem, Rachel's Tomb stands as a poignant site of spiritual significance and a testament to the enduring legacy of biblical matriarchs. This sacred structure, revered by Jews as a synagogue, marks the burial place of Rachel, the...
3.3 miNW
Church, Sacred and religious sites, Historical place
Church of Saint Catherine, Bethlehem
86 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Bethlehem, the Church of Saint Catherine stands as a beacon of faith and history adjacent to the Church of the Nativity, which is traditionally recognized as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. This Roman Catholic church, revered by pilgrims...
3.5 miNW
Museum
Baituna al-Talhami Museum, Bethlehem
89 min walk • Baituna al-Talhami Museum or the Bethlehem Folklore Museum is one of the largest museums in the Palestinian territories. It is located in Bethlehem, on Star Street, slightly off Pope Paul VI Street.
3.2 miNW
Church
Chapel of the Milk Grotto, Bethlehem
83 min walk • The Chapel of the Milk Grotto of Our Lady also called Grotto of Our Lady or Milk Grotto, is a Catholic chapel in Bethlehem in the West Bank of the Palestinian Territories, erected in 1872.
3.4 miNW
Mosque
Mosque of Omar, Bethlehem
88 min walk • The Mosque of Omar is the only mosque in the Old City of Bethlehem, Palestine. It is located on the west side of Manger Square, across the square from the Church of the Nativity.
2.9 miN
Church
The Shepherd's Field, Bethlehem
75 min walk • The Shepherds' Field Chapel is a Roman Catholic religious building. in the area of Beit Sahour, southeast of Bethlehem in the West Bank in Palestine. The chapel marks the place where, according to Catholic tradition, angels first announced the birth of Christ.
3.6 miNW
Street
Star Street, Bethlehem
91 min walk • Star Street is one of Bethlehem's oldest commercial streets, connecting the northern part of the Old City to the southern part. Most of the buildings along Star Street were built in the 19th century. Prior to the Second Intifada in 2001, there were 98 shops on Star Street.
3.6 miNW
Museum
Badd Giacaman Museum, Bethlehem
92 min walk • The Badd Jackaman Museum is located in the center of Bethlehem, near the Church of the Nativity. The building in which the museum was built dates from the 18th–19th century.
4.5 miNE
Monastery
Monastery of St. Theodosius, Jerusalem
116 min walk • The Monastery of St. Theodosius, also known as Deir Dosi and Deir Ibn Ubeid in Arabic, is a monastery founded around 476 by Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch and that today contains his tomb.
3.4 miNW
Square
Manger Square, Bethlehem
87 min walk • Manger Square is a city square in the center of Bethlehem in Palestine. It takes its name from the manger where Jesus is said to have been born which, according to Christian tradition, took place at the Grotto of the Nativity, enshrined since the fourth century in the Church of the Nativity.