There is so many archeological sites in the area that date back thousands of years. Mt Scopus stands about 2,700 ft above sea level northeast of Jerusalem. Because of its height and location, it was called Lookout Mountain. It has been a strategic location as a base to attack Jerusalem since early Hebrew times. It is part of a ridge of mountains that also includes the Mount of Olives that borders Jerusalem on the East. It is now the location of the Hebrew University and a Botanical Garden. We stopped for a view of Jerusalem from the lookout on our way to Herodium.
On the west of Jerusalem, Herodium, in the Judean desert, is the site of King Herod’s palace and grave, another view point. It is on a hill like a “truncated cone” about 2,500 ft. above sea level. This archeological site is extensive. Herod’s fortress- palace on top of the hill was seven stories surrounded by a defensive wall. It has a breath-taking view over the Judean Desert and the mountains of Moab to the east and the Judean hills to the west. The site also includes remains of several administrative buildings, an aqueduct system, a ritual bath and synagogue (built by Jewish rebels), tunnels (also built by rebels), and a Roman theater, among other structures. The site also contains three churches with mosaic floors built by Christian monks. It is the only site named after King Herod the Great.
Herodium is located in Area C of the West Bank, a disputed area. Israel says that they have the right to work in the area under the Oslo Accords; however, the Palestinians say that Israel has no right to undertake excavations or remove artifacts from the site. This was one example of the tension that we felt as we traveled in the area.
The pictures below show some of the sites at Herodium.
