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A New Testament Guide to the Holy Land


Where Jesus Walked: A Spiritual Journey Through the Holy Land

Caesarea

Caesarea (also known as Caesarea Palaestina and Caesarea Maritima) is an ancient city, now archaeological park, located on the Mediterranean Sea 33 miles north of Joppa and 60 miles northwest of Jerusalem. Constructed by Herod the Great between 22 and 10 BC and named for Caesar Augustus, Caesarea was one of the most splendid cities in Palestine and was the capital of the province for almost 600 years.

Caesarea also figures prominently in the religious history of the area. Herod built a great Roman temple here dedicated to the Divine Augustus. Half a century later, Peter and Paul visited the city (as recorded in the New Testament book of Acts). And towards the end of the 1st century, mistreatment of Jews in Caesarea led to the First Jewish Revolt (66-70 AD). In the 3rd and 4th centuries, Caesarea became a major center of both Jewish and Christian scholarship, with several rabbinical schools and a great library founded by Origen of Alexandria. Eusebius, the first church historian, was bishop of Caesarea (315-30). In the early Middle Ages, the city traded hands between Muslims and Crusaders several times; much of what remains dates from the Crusader era.

There have been extensive excavations of Caesarea in recent decades, and the archaeological park — with beautiful sea views and informative signs in English and Hebrew — is open to visitors. There are hotels here, but most visitors spend the night in Haifa or Netanya.

Caesarea Maps Site plans and maps of the archaeological site at Caesarea. History of Caesarea A readable summary of Caesarea's fascinating history: Romans, apostles, saints, rabbis, sultans and crusaders. Caesarea Photo Gallery Take a virtual tour of Caesarea with our collection of 117 beautiful photos. Caesarea Travel Forum Practical travel advice and insider tips on Caesarea from those in the know.

Herod's Roman Theater Herod's great city of Caesarea included a theater facing the sea, which has been fully restored. Here an important inscription naming Pontius Pilate was discovered in the 1960s. Roman Temples and Christian Churches The history and remains of the elevated temple platform, which has been a place of worship for the Romans, Byzantines, Muslims and Crusaders. Underwater Museum If you're a scuba diver (or snorkler), you can't miss Caesarea's brand new "underwater museum," the first of its kind in the world.

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