Herodian
Rising from the plains of the Judean desert 10km southeast of Bethlehem near the village of Asakirah are the ruins of Herodian, a winsome fortified palace perched atop a conical peak. King Herod, haunted by fears of assassination, ordered the construction of this hideout in the first century BC. Enclosed within the massive circular double walls and guarded by four watch towers were all the comforts of Rome: palace, garden, and bathhouse.

Fifteen meters below the floor, two giant cisterns were filled with water hauled in by donkeys. Though engineered to protect the Roman-sponsored ruler from discontented Jews, the palace actually became a rebel stronghold during the Jewish revolts of the first and second centuries AD. From the top you can see Jerusalem to the north, Bethlehem to the west, the Dead Sea to the east, and the desolate Judean Desert to the south. (Open daily 8am-5pm. Admission N1S12 for individuals, organized groups NIS9, students NIS6.) To reach Herodian, share a taxi from Bethlehem for NIS3O-4O round-trip or hike past Shepherd’s Field on the road from Beit Sahur; it’s 7km from the marked turn-off. At tense times, hiking may not be safe: ask in the GTIO before you leave.