Bringing Masada To Life Through The Artza Holy Land Blog

Embark on a journey and travel to the Holy Land through the lens of the 'Holy Land Artza Blog' series.

Discover the Holy Land's Rich Culture & History in Masada, Israel.

In this series, you will be taken on an immersive journey through the Holy Land. Exploring ancient, biblical, and modern stories, magnificent scenery, flavors, traditions, sites, and most importantly of all - we will introduce you to the people that call this place home.

Along the journey, you will meet all of the Israeli artisans and charities that we help support and explore the rich culture, history, and beauty of Israel. And for those of you who want a fully immersive experience of the land where Jesus walked, our Artza subscription box is designed to do just that. Delivered quarterly, each locally sourced Artza box is packed with gorgeous, handcrafted gifts, foods, local spices, content, stories, scripture, and so much more! Delivered from the Holy Land directly to your home.

Location: Masada

Our journey continues to Masada. Masada is a fortress built on top of a mountain plateau, overlooking the Dead Sea. It is famous for its dramatic history and its stunning natural beauty and is located in the Judean Desert of Israel,

Top things to do near & at Masada Israel.

1.     Masada National Park: Masada National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the main attraction at Masada. Visitors can take a cable car or hike up the Snake Path to the top of the fortress to explore the ruins and learn about the history of Masada. Masada offers spectacular views of the surrounding desert and the Dead Sea. Visitors can watch the sunrise or sunset from the top of the fortress for a truly memorable experience.

2.     The Masada Synagogue: Archaeologists uncovered a synagogue during excavations at the site. This synagogue may be among the earliest and most complete ancient synagogues in the world, and it provides valuable insight into the religious practices of Jewish communities in the Second Temple period.

3.     The Byzantine Church: One of the most intact areas is the Byzantine Church. A portion of the wall and window have remained. The church was built by Byzantine monks several hundred years after the siege of Masada. The Byzantine Church at Masada is a later addition to the site, dating to the Byzantine period (fourth to sixth centuries CE). It is considered an important example of early Christian architecture, and it provides a fascinating glimpse into the religious practices of early Christians in the region.

4.     Qumran Caves: The Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The Qumran Caves are a series of caves, both natural and artificial, found around the archaeological site of Qumran in the Judean Desert. It is in these caves that the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. In addition to the historical and cultural significance of the Qumran Caves, the area is also incredibly beautiful. The caves are located in the heart of the Judean Desert, with stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can hike in the area, take a dip in the Dead Sea, or simply relax and take in the natural beauty of the desert



5.     Float in the Dead Sea: The Dead Sea is not only the lowest point on earth, but it is also the saltiest and most mineral-rich body of water in the world. Located between Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is renowned as a source of healing and a popular destination for health and wellness treatments.

6.     Ein Gedi Reserve: Ein Gedi's picturesque hiking destination is located on the western shore of the Dead Sea where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. The reserve's natural beauty is breathtaking, with its lush vegetation, sparkling streams, and rocky cliffs with hikes and trails for all levels.

How to get to Masada:

Masada, Israel is located on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert, in close proximity to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other key cities in Israel. Accessed from the Israeli side of the Dead Sea, Road 90 runs along the entrance to Masada National Park.

Rich history: Masada is an ancient fortification in Israel located on a plateau near the Dead Sea. It was built by King Herod the Great in the 1st century BCE and became the site of a legendary siege during the First Roman-Jewish War in 73-74 CE. Jewish rebels, known as the Sicarii, fled to Masada after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and withstood a prolonged siege by Roman troops.

Distance from Jerusalem: Masada to Jerusalem is approximately 113 kilometres (70 miles).

As we come to the close of our sixth Holy Land Artza Blog which takes you on a journey through Israel with us, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your participation. It has been a privilege to share with you the beauty, culture and traditions of this land that holds such a special place in our hearts thus far, and we are so excited for what is to come!

For those who seek a deeper connection to the Holy Land, our Artza subscription boxes are the next best thing to actually travelling to Israel, it is the best way to bring the Holy Land to your doorstep. Each Artza box is sent to you from a different region in Israel, and it is packed with up to eight stunning hand-crafted gifts, local foods, spices, art, scripture, ceramics and so much more - each carefully chosen from the local artisans and charities of that specific region - with the aim of bringing the Holy Land to life in the most meaningful and immersive way possible. This is your chance to experience the Beauty of the Holy Land and to support the people of Israel.

We look forward to welcoming you back soon and providing you with the next Holy Land Artza Blog, and of course, welcome to ISRAEL!