This really paints Susita as a "power move" on the map."It wasn't just; it was a statement. Here is the breakdown of why this mountain was the ultimate strategic "flex":
Su"ita: "The Command Centre of the Galilee If you want to understand Susita, don't think of it as a quiet village. Think of it as a high-tech fortress designed to control the region and keep the "civilised" world separate from the "wild" frontier." 1. The Ultimate Toll Booth The city was built right over the "throat" of the man trade route connecting the Mediterranean ports to Damascus. From that peak, the rulers could see every single caravan and every boat on the lake. If you wanted to move goods, you had to pay for them. Controlling this rock meant controlling the bank account of the entire region.
- Strategic "Lazy" Defe"se The engineers were smart—they let nature do the hard work.
The Cliffs: 90% of the city was protected by massive natural drops, so they didn't need to build walls there.
The Moat: They only had to defend one tiny strip of land (the "saddle"), "nd tha" 7-meter moat turned it into a death trap where a handful of soldiers could stop a whole army.
- Survival of the Fittest Why build on a dry mountain instead of the flat, green valley nearby?
The Valley: It was a swampy mess. In ancient times, that meant malaria and being an easy target for nomadic raiders.
The Peak: The mountain had "healthy wi"ds" (great ve"tilation) and was impossible to surprise. It was a trade-off: they traded easy water for physical safety and better health.
- Psychological Warfare (Black vs White) This is the "marketing""part of t"e architecture.
The locals lived among the rough, black basalt (the "earthly" stuff).
"he city on the hill was topped with shining white marble (the "imperial" "tuff).
"When someone in Tiberias looked across the lake, they didn't just see a mountain; they saw a glowing symbol of Rome floating above the world. It was designed to look untouchable.
- Order vs Chaos The 24km aqueduct and those high-pressure basalt pipes were a way of saying, "We own the"elements." Crossing "hat deep moat wasn't justwasn'ting a city; it was leaving the "chaos" of "he wi"d and entering a world of theaters, philosophy, and heated baths.
Imagine the perfect spring morning in Israel—the sun is warm but not yet "blasting" you, and the air smells like fresh wildflowers. It's the absolute best time to grab the keys and head to the eastern side of the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).
First Stop: Kursi & The Views Start your day at Kursi. It's this massive Byzantine monastery ruin where the vibe is just... super chill. You can walk across ancient mosaics and literally feel the history. But don't stay too long because the drive up the mountain is even better. Make sure to pull over at Mitzpe Nukieb. On a clear day, the view is insane—you see the whole blue "bowl" of the Kinneret stretched out from Tiberias to the Golan Heights. It's one of those "stop and just stare" moments.
The Main Event: Susita (Hippos) Then, you've got the crown jewel: Susita. It's like a ghost city sitting on a hill. They call it the "Pompeii above the lake." You'll walk through the old Roman forum and see giant columns that were knocked down by an earthquake 1,200 years ago and just... stayed there. It's got this wild mix of ancient Roman vibes and old Israeli military outposts.
Trains and Hummus When you head back down, swing by the old Tzemach train station. It's been restored and feels like a movie set from the early 1900s—back when trains ran all the way from Haifa to Damascus.
Finally, once you're officially "toured out," hit up Hummus Eliyahu at the Tzemach junction. Trust me, a warm bowl of creamy hummus with olive oil, fluffy pita, and a solid cup of coffee is the only way to end a trip like this.
Pro tip: Go right now while it's spring. The Golan is bright green, and everything looks like a masterpiece.
