The whole complex was surrounded by two rows of concentric walls that rise to the height of a seven-story building. The interior space, 63 meters in diameter, was dedicated to palace structures, embellished by beautiful arcades and surrounded by luxurious bathing complexes. The outside surface of the fortress walls was covered by a colossal mound, at the foot of which a new bathing complex with an artificial pool was built. Try to imagine the impressive artificial hill ascended in the middle of the desert-like a huge mount, decorated with fragrant gardens, diverse vegetation, and water splashing fountains. A long aqueduct was constructed to supply vast complexes with water from the Solomon Ponds in the Bethlehem area.
A stunning structure that has no analogs in the ancient world is the palace, fortress, and mausoleum of one of the most famous rulers of the past - King Herod the Great. Herodion rises above the hills of the Judean desert and silently looks over Bethlehem - the city where Jesus was born. Who knows, maybe it was the Herodion from where Herod the Great gave the order to kill all the babies in Bethlehem to destroy Jesus. Professor Netzer spent 30 years searching for Herod’s tomb and died in Herodion. Who knows, maybe in this way the king’s curse came true, imposed on the one who will disturb his grave. Herodion is the place where Bar Kochba rebels hid and the place where the desert blooms in spring with the blue Iris, so rare for these places.
Don't be afraid to get lost in new places!
