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Caesarea
Located in Israel's coastal region, halfway between Haifa and Tel-Aviv, Caesarea is nothing short of an archeological wonderland.
Dating back thousands of years, the city of Caesarea was founded by Herod the Great with the intention of boasting the largest harbor in the Mediterranean and thereby competing with Jerusalem for the status of the grandest city in Palestine . Once completed, Herod gifted the city of Caesarea to his patron Julius Caesar -emperor of the great Roman Empire.
Naming Caesarea in honor of Julius Caesar, Herod arranged to build staple monuments that any respectable 1 st century Roman city would have. An aqueduct, a hippodrome and a grand amphitheater were built in Caesarea, parts of which remain standing to this day.
With its sun kissed beaches and ancient structures, Caesarea has become a coveted tourist destination and one that any Israel tour will not be complete without. Perfect when on a family tour to Israel as much as when on a Jewish heritage tour, the city of Caesarea offers an ideal mix of history and leisure.
Discovering Caesarea's Archeological Ruins
When on a family tour to Israel it is essential to find a balance between historical sightseeing which can get tiresome for children and simple frolicking that will keep your kids smiling and active. This is a delicate balance and one that may be hard to strike.
Fortunately Caesarea's outdoor and beachside historic monuments combine the best of both worlds, allowing you to visit the historic sights while your children enjoy running around the ancient ruins.
Caesarea's Amphitheater and Hippodrome - Remnants of a Glorious Past
Even if spending only a short time in Caesarea, most tours to Israel - whether Jewish heritage tours, Bar Mitzvah tours or Bat Mitzvah tours - will make a point of stopping to see Caesarea's amphitheater and hippodrome; two grand monuments still in tact today and reminiscent of Caesarea's glorious past.
Caesarea's amphitheater is generally well preserved, though parts of its meter-high exterior walls have been wiped out by the saltwater of the adjacent sea. At its fullest capacity, Caesarea's amphitheater was able to seat 15,000 viewers, making it the biggest performance venue in all of Palestine .
The amphitheater is still in use today with performances by Israel's biggest stars held here daily during the summer months; its breathtaking view of the Mediterranean sea and the breeze that sweeps through at all hours of the day, making it a popular destination.
Similar in style and function to Rome's grand Circus Maximus, Caesarea's hippodrome is a circular structure originally built as a racetrack. The walls that lined the arena have remained in tact, though races and other performances are no longer held in this venue.
Nevertheless, strolling around the plantation that now grows over this area will give you a sense of the excitement that brewed around this entrainment site back in the Herodian era.
More of Caesarea's Historic Ruins
When on a tour to Israel and already visiting Caesarea you may want to make note of several other prominent features of this historic city: its famous aqueduct and the Museum of Antiquity in the nearby Kibbutz Sdot-Yam.
Caesare's aqueduct was built along the city's sandy beaches and carried water from the feet of Mount Carmel in the north to the city center. A system of pipes and arched walls which carried the water to the city is still visible today, serving as a testament to the genius of its architecture.
In close by Kibbutz Sdot-Yam the Antiquity Museum displays many more artifacts from the Herodian era. Roman Columns and sculptures line the museum gardens. Inside, collections of Roman pottery, household artifacts and coins are on display.
Adding to that, the short drive from Caesarea to Sdot-Yam will give you a chance to witness one of Israel 's wealthiest communities situatued in and around Caesarea , and some of the country's most extravagant pieces of real estate.
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