Herodium

Company trip – Herodium

Hi,
Second day of our company trip was to the Herodium, that artificial hill that can be seen from southern Jerusalem. The site is in the West bank. It didn’t changed much for me, as one that grow up in Jerusalem. But it did prevent from many of my mates to visit this place, as it is not on the main route of school – trips.

The place was the palace of King Herod the Great, who feared his seat and build his palace far from Jerusalem, which was the capital back then. He was buried here. Later, the warriors of the Great Revolt and later Bar Kokhba dig tunnels around and use it as part as it revolt.

 

The hill from the visitor center, half way up - Herodium

The hill from the visitor center, half way up

Looking South-West to Bethlehem - HerodiumLooking South-West to Bethlehem

Looking South over the settlements of Nokdim (right) and Tekoa - HerodiumLooking South over the settlements of Nokdim (right) and Tekoa

Model of the Herodium complex The hill was the mountain palaceModel of the Herodium complex The hill was the mountain palace (built as fortress), while the palace itself spread below the hill. Most of the visitors, and us, only visit the fortress on the hill.

The model from a different angle - HerodiumThe model from a different angle

The old entrance to the Herodium national park with a memorial plateThe old entrance to the Herodium national park with a memorial plateThe old entrance to the Herodium national park with a memorial plate

The suburbans of Bethlehem and down below the ruins of the palace (Lower Herodium) The suburbans of Bethlehem and down below the ruins of the palace (Lower Herodium)The suburbans of Bethlehem and down below the ruins of the palace (Lower Herodium)

Looking North West you can see the outskirts of Jerusalem - HerodiumLooking North West you can see the outskirts of Jerusalem

And in closer look - HerodiumAnd in closer look

A view over lower Herodium and reconstruction of greater Herodium

A view over lower Herodium and reconstruction of greater HerodiumA view over lower Herodium and reconstruction of greater Herodium

A view over lower Herodium and reconstruction of greater Herodium

Climbing the hill - Herodium

Climbing the hill

A bigger model of the Mountain palace. Today, the walls are covered slopped soil - HerodiumA bigger model of the Mountain palace. Today, the walls are covered slopped soil - HerodiumA bigger model of the Mountain palace. Today, the walls are covered slopped soil

Looking down on the mountain palace courtyard from above - HerodiumLooking down on the mountain palace courtyard from above

Looking North over the edge Judaean desert from the top of the hill - HerodiumLooking North over the edge Judaean desert from the top of the hill

Looking East to North from the top of the hill - HerodiumLooking East to North from the top of the hill - HerodiumLooking East to North from the top of the hill

 

The inner court from the steps - HerodiumThe inner court from the steps

The Reception hall. It was later used as a synagogue during the revolts - HerodiumThe Reception hall. It was later used as a synagogue during the revolts - Herodium The Reception hall. It was later used as a synagogue during the revolts - HerodiumThe Reception hall. It was later used as a synagogue during the revolts

A Miqveh (ritual bath) from the time of the Great Revolt or the Bar Kokhba revolt. - HerodiumA Miqveh (ritual bath) from the time of the Great Revolt or the Bar Kokhba revolt. - HerodiumA Miqveh (ritual bath) from the time of the Great Revolt or the Bar Kokhba revolt.

The palace courtyard, looking on the steps from the outer wall. - Herodium

The palace courtyard, looking on the steps from the outer wall.

Weapons foundry from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt. - HerodiumWeapons foundry from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt.

The same curbing as can be seen on the Western wall, the stamp of Herod the Great. Rough in the middle with a smooth line on the edges - Herodium

The same curbing as can be seen on the Western wall, the stamp of Herod the Great. Rough in the middle with a smooth line on the edges

The Plaster on the walls - HerodiumThe Plaster on the wallsThe scale of the main tower on the walls - HerodiumThe scale of the main tower on the walls

The excavation on site continues - HerodiumThe excavation on site continues

The bathhouse - Herodium

The bathhouse - HerodiumThe bathhouseThe entrance to the tunnel system

Sign about the underground system - HerodiumSign about the underground system - HerodiumSign about the underground system - Herodium Sign about the underground system - HerodiumSign about the underground system

A secondary entrance to tunnels from the palace basements - HerodiumA secondary entrance to tunnels from the palace basements - HerodiumA secondary entrance to tunnels from the palace basements

Upper tunnel system, from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt (blocked) - HerodiumUpper tunnel system, from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt (blocked)

Remains of a tunnel form the time of the Great Revolt - HerodiumRemains of a tunnel form the time of the Great Revolt - HerodiumRemains of a tunnel form the time of the Great Revolt - HerodiumRemains of a tunnel form the time of the Great Revolt - HerodiumRemains of a tunnel form the time of the Great Revolt - HerodiumRemains of a tunnel form the time of the Great Revolt

A hall leading to the large cistern with an exhibition on the digging of the theater and the royal hosting hall - HerodiumA hall leading to the large cistern with an exhibition on the digging of the theater and the royal hosting hall - HerodiumA hall leading to the large cistern with an exhibition on the digging of the theater and the royal hosting hall - Herodium

A hall leading to the large cistern with an exhibition on the digging of the theater and the royal hosting hall

The exhibition

The Large cistern - HerodiumThe Large cistern - HerodiumThe Large cistern

 

Entrance to the Eastern tunnel system, from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt - HerodiumEntrance to the Eastern tunnel system, from the time of the Bar Kokhba revolt

Tunnels  from the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135/6 CE)

The arches corridor and the entrance hall to the mountain palace, hosting the rest of the exhibition - HerodiumThe arches corridor and the entrance hall to the mountain palace, hosting the rest of the exhibition

The rest of the exhibition

The theater and above it the royal hosting hallThe theater and above it the royal hosting hall

Restoration of the royal hosting hall

The Theater from above

The Theater from aboveThe Theater from above

Restoration drawing of the stairs leading to the Mountain palace

The formwork to the stairsThe formwork to the stairs

A model of tomb of Herod the Great

The remains of the tomb. The warriors of the revolts, revenged the king by destroying the tomb. They considered Herod the great as a client Roman king, because he didn’t  was from the family  of King David.

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