Excursion «Masada and the Dead Sea»

There are a lot pf names of  Dead Sea. It is often called the “bottom of the world,” because it is located at the lowest point on earth. And in the biblical stories this unusual reservoir is reflected. They say that in the mixture for bonding bricks during the construction of the Tower of Babel, a composition was prepared based on the components contained in the Dead Sea. Used them to strengthen Noah's ark. On the shores of the Dead Sea, an excellent resort area has been created: hotels, motels, health and beauty centers that conduct procedures using sea water and therapeutic mud.

Mount Massada, with a fortress at its peak, is located near the Dead Sea. The fortress reached a special peak in those years when King Herod, who fled from Jerusalem, settled in it. During his reign, a magnificent palace was built, city walls were strengthened, and the water supply system was improved. The ruins of an ancient synagogue were also found. In 73 AD, Massada was surrounded by the Romans. The defenders of the fortress understood that they could not hold back the enemy’s onslaught for a long time, and a terrible decision was made. Among the soldiers, ten people were selected who cut the throat of all the inhabitants of the fortress. Then, from among them, one soldier was chosen by lot, who killed all the others, and then committed suicide. Having burst into the fortress, the Romans saw almost untouched supplies of food and water, weapons and ... dead defenders and inhabitants.