This is the first entry in a three-part series about one of Israel's in-demand tourist destination and a national landmark that chronicled the country's history in ruins. We visited Caesarea National Park last Sunday to celebrate my one month-long trade as a blogger *wink*, it was my second time to go there, but I, still, got dumbstruck by it's perpetual beauty. I had this tingling sensation in random parts of my body, and all the while, my brain's telling me that I am walking on the same ground that was once walked upon by world-renowned politicians, conquerors and kings; not to mention, my nomadic imagination brought me to a gladiator-filled stadium with Russel Crowe standing in the center *grins*, chariot racing, joust of the knights, etc.etc. So, without further ado, here's a glance at the olden days and a refresher course in history.
In the year 37 - 4 BCE, King Herod ruled and built a large port city called Caesarea in honor of his patron Octavian Augustus Caesar. Caesarea was a planned city, with a network of crisscrossing roads, a temple, theater, amphitheater, markets, public baths and residential quarters. It took twelve years to build and great festivities were held to mark its completion in 10/9 BCE. The city transformed rapidly into a great commercial center, and by the year 6 BCE, it became the headquarters of the Roman government in Palestine.
Pagans, Samaritans, Jews and Christians lived here in the 3rd and 4th centuries CE. Among its famous citizens were Rabbi Abbahu and the church leaders Auregines and Eusebius.
During Byzantine period the city flourished, and extended over some 400 acres. At the end of the 6th century a perimeter wall was built, making Caesarea the largest fortified city in the country.
Following the Arab conquest in 640 CE, Caesarea lost its political and economic significance. Most of the citizens left the city, and it became a small forsaken village.
In Herod's time an elevated platform (podium) was built here to serve as a base for a lavish temple dedicated to Roma and Augustus. An octagonal Byzantine church was later erected at the site, followed by a mosque in the Arab period, and later still by a Crusader Cathedral.
All of these architectural legacy were reduced to rubble brought about by the wrath of nature and the inevitable decay of old age, added to that, the Crusader seized Caesarea with malevolent force thereby causing more irrevocable damage.
As seen in the photo, the temple was the first structure that was built here in Herod's time. It was located opposite the harbor and situated at a high-level ground to uphold its astounding beauty and great size.
A Christian church was built after the temple of Herod, it was erected exactly at the same spot of the said temple after it was destroyed by an earthquake. It looked a lot like the Dome of Rock of Moslem in Jerusalem with marble floors and walls (photo below).
The Crusader Church was ordered to be built by King Louis IX of France, during this period the Caesarea was fortified anew with impressive intensity. Unfortunately, the church that was supposed to be the center of religious fixation of the crusaders collapsed while it was under construction but, even, up to now, it remained standing and untouched.
Herodian Amphitheater is a U-shaped entertainment structure complete with an arena and hundreds of seats, it was built by Herod and was, primarily, used for horse racing, sports events and entertainment shows during the Roman period. The Amphitheater is more than 250 meters long and 50 meters wide and it, originally, had twelve rows of seats, which can cater to 10000 spectators.
The Public Bathhouse consist of two area - the northern area and the southern area. In the northern area bathhouse, clients could exercise in the palaestra before their bath and then, after bathing one could choose to enjoy a good shave, a haircut, a cosmetic treatment or a massage, all these services were provided in the rooms surrounding the courtyard. Also, in the northern area, clients could discuss the city's affairs, hear the latest news and gossips and even indulge in business. The southern area of the bathhouse had a huge space and many partitions, purposely made for the different kinds of bath. Soap was not commonly used in Byzantine times: their pores open, bathers completed the cleaning process with olive oils and unquent followed by a dip in a warm bath. A last cool bath serve as a skin astringent.
In 1265, Caesarea was conquered by the Mamelukes led by Baybars, and was destroyed and deserted. Its ruins became a source of lime and building stones for the region. It remained desolate until the late 19th century, when the Ottoman authorities settled Bosnian refugees here. The destroyed Crusader fortress was renovated and became the administrative center, with new houses built on the ruins.
Kibbutz Sdot Yam was founded in 1940, just south of ancient Caesarea, and in recent years new residential houses was built in the vicinity.
The Roman Theater is the most ancient theater found in Israel. It was built in Herod's time, it continues to be of use for hundreds of years thereafter. Its location was carefully chosen in accordance with the accepted criteria of the time. The orchestra area was decorated with marble-like plaster and renewed several times. Behind the stage stood the lavishly decorated scaenae frons - a three-story wall, built with tall pillars - which served as the stage background. Towards the end of Byzantine period the theater was converted into a castle, and was deserted after the Arab conquest.
The Roman Wall ruins of Roman Caesarea's fortifications were excavated in the northwestern limits of the city. They include parts of the wall, a rectangular tower, and a round tower gate. A pave street with a sewage tunnel beneath it ran through the gate, this part of the wall was probably built on top of the ancient fortifications of Straton's tower, the village which predated Caesarea.
Herodian to the Roman Era, the Byzantine, the Arab and the Crusader Era, Zionism to the settlement project of Baron de Rothschild... Caesarea withstood it all, it had imprints of the past but pleasantly lingers in the present. Additional pictures were compiled in our photo album, just click and enjoy.
Note: No photos of the Roman Theater and the excavated Roman Wall was provided because my digicam died on me, I'll make it up to all of you, I plan to go back and watch an orchestra performance there one of these days. In due time my friends...
Caesarea National Park
Telephone: +972-46361358
Mobile: +972-57546666
