Day 2 in Israel: Caesarea, Mt Carmel, Megiddo & Nazareth

Saturday January 23^rd started at 6am for me with Breakfast at 7 and on the bus by 8.  We headed north to Caesarea by the Sea.  It was Shabbat, so traffic was light.  Here is where Herod the Great builds the seaport  Roman capital city of Caesarea. Now this is the same Herod who in the time of Jesus orders the massacre of the innocents. Building this seaport community is a massive undertaking and includes a theater, a palace and a hippodrome. (note to view any of the pictures larger: click on them)

theater at Caesarea

The theater has been rebuilt for historic value.  The base is original and it was a theater in which water could flood an area in front of the stage and form a pool for water performances. 

Caesarea is also where Pontius Pilot had his base and where the apostle Paul landed during his missionary journey as well as being imprisoned for trial

(stone inscription refers to Pontius Pilot found in ruins)

Herod’s palace included an indoor pool! We're talking about extravagance!

(remains of the square pool area)

Now being along the Mediterranean Sea, you would think that it would be the source for the pool water.  But we’re talking about Herod the Great who built many more large and elaborate projects in Israel.  Instead he had an aqua duct built from Mt. Carmel some 15 km away in order for fresh water to fill the pool!

aqua duct leading to Caesarea

The hippodrome (a venue for chariot races) has only recently been discovered and unearthed by archaeologists.  The picture I have taken shows a protruding wall into the raceway which was built for some reason by a conquering empire at a later date. 

The hippodrome could seat 10,000 people but is missing the seating on the sea side.  National Geographic proposes that it was a tsunami at some time that dragged them into the sea. The seating has been found in the sea some distance from its original location and much of it is still in tact.

a place for important business when going towards the hippodrome!

We then headed to Mt. Carmel where the prophet Elijah called on the fire of God to come down and defeat the prophets of Baal.  A sanctuary and monastery are located here and the roof  has an observation deck overlooking the Valley of Jezreel.  Now the weather was rain and fog; a rarity in Israel.  The fog was so heavy we could see nothing! 

inside the chapel at Mt Carmel

However, Megiddo was our next stop and the Jezreel valley or as it is known also as the Izrael Valley. “Izra” mean planted and “el” is God; giving the meaning that is “the valley planted by God”.  It was shocking for me to realize however that this is also the valley of Armageddon!  Many Christians believe this is the valley in which the final fight of End Times before the Second Coming of Jesus will take place.  Having a view of the valley from Megiddo I can now see how vast armies could face each other here!

 (Megiddo)

(Valley of Jezreel)

Now Megiddo is strategically located on ancient trade routes overlooking the fertile valley and as such it became an administrative center.   It is built on a “tel” which is a mound created by human occupation and abandonment of a geographical site over many centuries.

Mt Tabor & Jezreel Valley from Tel Meggido

Archaeologists have discovered 27 layers which means it has been there a very long time! The 5^th layer down is three thousand years old.  There is a massive wall and gate that were built and some attribute it to Solomon while others believe it is King Ahab who built it.

Here is a picture describing the problem and solution to their water system!  If you enlarge the picture you can read it and see the drawings.

I walked through the tunnel!  It is way, way deep down!  Unbelievable engineering and construction feat! This picture was taken about 1/2 way down the stairway! (original stairs were carved into the stone)

(picture taken about 1/2 way down!)

Last for the day we went to Nazareth and toured a depiction of what it may have looked like in Jesus day. What I have noticed so far, is that there are plenty of hills and stones! So when the Bible talks about stoning someone; no problem!

a carpenter at work in his shop

Until tomorrow….blessings and Shalom!